Port Of Long Beach’s Green Flag Program Rewards Ocean Carriers

Port Of Long Beach’s Green Flag Program Rewards Ocean Carriers

Recently at the Port of Long Beach more than 135 shipping lines were admired for voluntarily participating in the Port’s Green Flag Incentive Program. This program offers financial incentives for cargo vessels to slow down near the port to reduce air pollution.

Recently for opting into the environmental initiative last year, Ocean carriers were presented with Green Flags. Ocean Carriers achieved this by slowing ships to 12 knots or less within 20 or 40 nautical miles of the Port of Long Beach.

In 2005 The Green Flag Incentive Program was initiated by the Port. Since then, in addition to the incentives, the Port has also started including vessel speed reduction for ships as a requirement of new leases with its terminal operator tenants.

The estimation shows that at the Port of Long Beach the slowing of cargo ships prevents the emission of 45,000 tons of greenhouse gases and 1,000 tons of general air pollutants each year, which in turn contributes to the Port’s comprehensive Clean Air Action Plan.

“Our shipping line partners play an important role in our efforts to improve air quality at the Port and our surrounding communities,” said Tracy Egoscue, President of the Long Beach Board of Harbor Commissioners. “We’ve made dramatic reductions in air pollution emissions thanks to the industry and its enthusiastic cooperation.”

In 2018, the program’s requirement of 90 percent participation rate at either 20 or 40 nautical miles was met or even exceeded by 136 shipping lines. Approx 95.8% of vessels slowed down within 20 nautical miles, while 91.14% slowed down within 40 nautical miles.

Ocean carriers achieving a 90 percent or higher compliance rate are eligible for a 25 percent reduction in dockage rates at the 40 nautical mile mark, while those slowing down within 20 nautical miles receive a 15 percent break in fees.

“This voluntary initiative is a win-win by granting financial rewards to nearly all of our ocean carriers while also dramatically decreasing pollution at the Port,” Mario Cordero, Executive Director of the Port of Long Beach. “The Green Flag is a symbol of our collective environmental accomplishments and a commitment to maintain our worldwide reputation as the Green Port.”

Reference: polb.com