By Karen Robes Meeks
Twenty-eight shipping lines have been recognized by the Port of Los Angeles for taking part in the Vessel Speed Reduction Program, which incentivizes operators to curb vessel speeds as they approach the port.
There were 174 companies that took part in the program in 2018, including Chevron, CMA CGM, COSCO, Evergreen Marine, Grieg Star Shipping A/S, Gulf Energy Maritime Gem, Hapag-Lloyd, Hyundai Merchant Marine, Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha, Maersk, Mitsui O.S.K., MSC, Navig8, Nippon Yusen Kaisha, Nissan Motor Car Carrier, Ocean Network Express, Orient Overseas Container Line, OSG Ship Management, Pacific Basin Shipping, Pacific International, Panamax International, Saga Welco, Tokyo Marine Asia, TORM, Valero, Wan Hai, World Logistics Service, and Yang Ming.
More than 3,000 combined vessel calls contributed to the efforts to lower emissions, with 589 ships achieving 100 percent compliance of the program within 20 and 40 nautical miles of the port.
“Vessel Speed Reduction has cut harmful emissions in San Pedro Bay for nearly two decades,” said Port Executive Director Gene Seroka. “We’re grateful to our partners – many who have been doing this for years – who have committed to this and other sustainability efforts in our Clean Air Action Plan.”
