In the past 10 years, the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach have successfully implemented various strategies to improve air and water quality.
That’s according to Richard Cameron, managing director of planning and environmental affairs for the Port of Long Beach.
“We’ve been tremendously successful,” Cameron said. “I think we’ve built a great amount of trust and we have found a collaborative way to be able to continue to improve all of our port operations, build our infrastructure and be much more sustainable.”
On Wednesday, Jan. 21, officials from both ports convened at the Aquarium of the Pacific in Long Beach to highlight what they deem are strides in emissions reductions and water quality improvements.
One of the newest measures to continue the trend is the implementation of a more stringent standard that limits sulfur content in fuels to no more than 0.1 percent. The regulation applies to vessels in the Emission Controlled Area, which includes the Baltic Sea, English Channel, North Sea and areas within 200 nautical miles off the coasts of Canada and the United States.
Prior to the new standard, sulfur content in fuel since 2012 was allowed to reach up to 1 percent.
This measure, along with others, is among steps that have been taken to reduce emissions and improve water quality.
On Feb. 24, 2011, for instance, the Port of LA became the first in the world to provide Alternative Maritime Power, to three cruise lines. This allows ships to connect to electrical power rather than running on diesel power while at berth.
The port in LA was also the first worldwide to use this technology for in-service container ships.
Officials say the ports are on the cutting edge of caring for the environment and remaining friendly to businesses.
“This is a great success story,” said Jerry Schubel, president and CEO of Aquarium of the Pacific. “The harbors are teeming with marine life.”
The panel at the Long Beach aquarium also discussed regulations applying to ballast water, which is injected into vessels to maintain balance while at sea. However, when the water pumped into a ship in one area of the world is discharged in another region, it can introduce invasive species. This poses considerable ecological, economic and health issues.
Officials say they also look forward to continue facilitating a better environment for wildlife and for those who reside near the ports.
“Our future is going to rely on moving toward zero emissions,” Cannon said.
(With reports from Press-Telegram)
