PORT OF LOS ANGELES RECOGNIZES PARTNERS FOR ONGOING COMMITMENT TO AIR QUALITY

SAN PEDRO, Calif. — July 12, 2019 — The Port of Los Angeles has recognized 28 shipping lines for their participation in the Vessel Speed Reduction Program (VSRP), an air quality and annual incentive program for vessel operators who reduce their speed as they approach or depart America’s Port^®. The program is an example of the many collaborative efforts between the Port and its stakeholders on environmental initiatives.
 
“Vessel Speed Reduction has cut harmful emissions in San Pedro Bay for nearly two decades,” said Port of Los Angeles 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.”
 
In 2018, 174 companies participated in the program, with more than 3,000 combined vessel calls that aided in the decrease of emissions from ocean-going vessels. 589 ships attained the 100 percent VSRP compliance within the 20 and 40 nautical mile zone. 
 
Customers recognized for their participation in the program in 2018 include 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.
 
The VSRP was established in 2001 with the signing of a cooperative Memorandum of Understanding among the Port of Los Angeles, Port of Long Beach, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, California Air Resources Board, South Coast Air Quality Management District, Steamship Association of Southern California, and Pacific Merchant Shipping Association.

Ships voluntarily slow down to 12 knots as they approach or depart the San Pedro Bay port complex, generally at 20 nautical miles from Point Fermin. Since 2008, the Port of Los Angeles has offered incentives to shipping lines that achieve a 90 percent participation rate in the VSRP during a full calendar year. In 2009, the program was expanded to also include incentives for reducing speed at 40 nautical miles from Point Fermin.
 
The Port of Los Angeles is America’s premier port and has a strong commitment to developing innovatively strategic and sustainable operations that benefit Southern California’s economy and quality of life. North America’s leading seaport by container volume and cargo value, the Port of Los Angeles facilitated $297 billion in trade during 2018. San Pedro Bay port complex operations and commerce facilitate one in nine jobs in the five-county Southern California region.