POLB Issues Environmental Awards

By Mark Edward Nero

Shipping lines, environmental organizations, trucking companies, terminal operators and a railroad were honored July 29 by the Port of Long Beach during the port’s annual Environmental Achievement Awards. The awards are an outgrowth of the port’s Green Port Policy, a series of environmental initiatives.

During the event, Long Beach Mayor Garcia introduced the “Mayor’s Green Port Award,” which was presented to terminal operator Long Beach Container Terminal for its commitment to working with the port to implement clean technologies and to create the world’s most advanced container shipping terminal.

The port also gave out seven “Environmental Excellence” honors to companies and groups for going above and beyond the past decade in helping the port achieve its ambitious environmental goals. The awardees are:

• Mediterranean Shipping Co. (MSC), for its performance in the port’s Green Flag Vessel Speed Reduction Program, which since 2005 has asked vessel operators to slow down to 12 knots near the port in order to reduce air pollution.

• Tesoro for top performance in the port’s Green Ship Program, which since 2012 has encouraged shipping lines to dispatch their cleanest ships to Long Beach.

• An environmental coalition including the Natural Resources Defense Council, Coalition for Clean Air, East Yard Communities for Environmental Justice and Communities for Clean Ports/EndOil, for highlighting environmental issues and “bringing about meaningful change.”

• The SSAT/Matson terminal for its consistently high performance in the port’s stormwater runoff control program, which seeks to improve and safeguard water and sediment quality in the harbor.

• Ability Tri-Modal trucking company for leadership in the port’s Clean Trucks Program, which has slashed diesel pollution from trucks by 90 percent since 2008.

• Trucking company Total Transportation Services, also for leadership in the Clean Trucks Program and in technology advancement.

• Pacific Harbor Line, the port’s short line railroad, for its pursuit of cleaner locomotives to move freight in the harbor complex.

In addition, nine vessel operators overall were honored at the event as top performers in the port’s Green Flag Vessel Speed Reduction Program.

Winners who slowed down within 20 nautical miles were: Carnival Cruise Lines, CMA CGM, Hanjin Shipping Co., Matson, Inc. and Alaska Tanker Co. Alaska Tanker received special honors for 100 percent compliance from 20 miles since 2006.

In the 40-nautical-mile category, the winners were COSCO, “K” Line, MOL and Mediterranean Shipping Co. Also, over 150 vessel operators earned the Green Flag for their participation in the program in 2014.

POLA Wins Environmental Award

For the second consecutive month, the Port of Los Angeles has received an environmental award from an England-based trade publication, this time from Containerisation International.

A judging panel including experts with extensive experience in international supply chain operations and management, voted to bestow upon the Los Angeles port the magazine’s annual Environmental Award. The award was presented earlier this month in London during the publication’s annual awards ceremony, which honors companies and individuals around the world for best practices, innovation and creative thinking in the container industry.

“We commend the Port of Los Angeles for its commitment to innovative business and environmental practices that have helped make the container industry safer, more secure and more sustainable,” Containerisation editor John Fossey said in a statement announcing the award. “The port’s approach to sustainability and green growth is far ahead of the curve and a lesson to the entire maritime industry.”

The award also highlighted the port’s hosting of the 2012 Pacific Ports Clean Air Collaborative Conference, which drew participants from around the world to discuss green supply chain strategies and environmental innovations, and for being the first seaport to adopt the Environmental Ship Index program, which rewards ocean carriers for bringing their newest and cleanest vessels to the Port.

The port was also recognized for its ongoing implementation of various initiatives under the Clean Air Action Plan, the initiative that has led to dramatic reductions in port emissions since 2005.

“This award illustrates that industry growth and environmental progress are not mutually exclusive, but rather an integrated strategy for success,” Port of Los Angeles Executive Director Geraldine Knatz said.

In September, the port received the Lloyd’s List Global Award in the Environment category, which recognized the port’s environmental leadership in adopting and promoting programs that reduce emissions from maritime sources. London-based Lloyd’s List is a daily newspaper for the maritime industry.

Crowley Takes Home Green Award From SoCal Ports

Crowley Maritime Corporation has been recognized by the ports of Long Beach and Los Angeles for the company's efforts to significantly reduce carbon emissions within the two Southern California ports.

Crowley officials were presented with the "Significant Early Action to Reduce Emissions Award" at the third annual San Pedro Bay Ports Clean Air Action Plan Air Quality luncheon held recently in Long Beach.

The Early Action Award is given to companies who have made great strides to reduce pollutant emissions at both ports. Nominations were reviewed by port officials, as well as representatives from several governmental agencies, including the South Coast Air Quality Management District, California Air Resources Board and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

In naming the Jacksonville-based Crowley as this year's award winner, port officials cited the company's proactive initiative to conduct an extensive engine re-powering of its Harbor Class tugs that provide ship assist and tanker escort services in the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach.

"Over the past several years, the company has been involved in several emissions and energy-saving initiatives in this region, including the installation of shore-side power and four tug engine repowers," said Crowley's director of engineering Bill Metcalf, who accepted the award on behalf of the company. "Those initiatives will reduce carbon dioxide emissions by more than 486,180 pounds, particulate matter emissions by 3.24-tons and mono-nitrogen oxides by 109.52-tons this year alone."

The Crowley tugs Admiral, Leader, Scout and Master were reintroduced to the fleet earlier this year following the installation of Tier II compliant engines. The project was partially funded by the Port of Los Angeles Air Quality Mitigation Incentive Program. The Crowley upgrades were completed nearly three years ahead of a regulatory deadline mandating Tier II emissions compliance.

Crowley also began using a ship-to-shore power system last year for its Long Beach and Los Angeles tugboats. Previously, the tugs tied up at the dock needed to run their generators to provide electrical power. By pulling power from shore-side sources, the tug generators could be shut off while at dock, significantly reducing diesel emissions.

Holland America, Crowley Pick Up Top Green Awards from Seattle Port, Propeller Club

Holland America and Crowley Maritime Corporation have received the top two awards for environmentally friendly businesses from the Port of the Seattle and Seattle Propeller Club.

The 2010 Marine Environmental Business of the Year award was presented during the 59th Annual Maritime Festival Luncheon in Seattle, with Holland America taking top honors and Crowley being named runner-up.

The luncheon, which attracted more than 500 attendees, was one of the spotlight events of the City of Seattle's annual Maritime Festival.

Holland America and Crowley led a pack of nine companies to be nominated for the annual award.

"We applaud and congratulate Holland America Line in winning the 2010 Marine Environmental Business of the Year Award," said Port of Seattle CEO Tay Yoshitani.

"Their efforts at using shore power while at berth in Seattle contribute greatly to our Puget Sound Clean Air Strategy and help make Northwest ports the Green Gateway."

Yoshitani cited the passenger carrier's effort in 2009, through a combination of fuel conservation and shore power use, that resulted in the three Holland America Line ships based at the Port of Seattle eliminating nearly 2,615 tons of diesel engine emissions annually. Along with air pollution reduction, Holland America Line did not discharge wastewater into Puget Sound during the 2009 Alaska cruise season.

“We are honored to receive this award and thank the Port of Seattle for recognizing our efforts in environmental stewardship,” said Stein Kruse, president and chief executive officer. “Being selected for this award is a testament to our ongoing commitment to preserving the environment both locally and around the world."

Scott Hoggarth, Crowley general manager, ship assist and escort services, accepted the runner-up award on behalf of Crowley.

"We are honored to receive this recognition for our past and ongoing environmental stewardship efforts," said Hoggarth. "From our many vessel emission reduction projects to our recycling and green initiatives shore side, the effort to improve the environment is truly a Crowley company wide endeavor."

Recent examples of Crowley's environmental efforts include: certification to the international standard ISO 14001 Environmental Management System; certification of all eight of the Articulated Tug Barge 650 Series barges by Lloyds Register Group under its Green Passport program, and the repowering of the firm's Southern California harbor tugs to meet Tier II emission standards three years ahead of government requirements.