Port of Long Beach sees 75% emissions reduction
Port of Long Beach (PoLB), analysis of key pollutants in 2005 compared to 2011 show a 75% reduction in airborne diesel particulates as a result of clean air programs, and air pollution from port-related sources declining for the fifth year in a row, the port authority has said, Ship & Bunker reports.
Program results showed reductions of all the key air pollutants from ships, trucks, locomotives, tractors, and cranes that move cargo.
In addition to the drop in diesel emissions, PoLB said nitrogen oxides decreased 50%, sulfur oxides dropped 80%, and greenhouse gasses declined 23% desipte containerised cargo activity falling by only 10% during the testing period.
PoLB concluded the air quality improvements were due primarily to the use of lower-sufur, cleaner fuels by all waterfront equipment, particularly oceangoing ships, and the phasing out of the oldest drayage trucks.
Port of Long Beach said it compiles a yearly "emissions inventory" using the baseline year 2005 to compare and to calculate the amount of air pollutants released from all port-related sources.
This most recent report released in July 2012 is for the 2011 calendar year which PoLB said was reviewed by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the California Air Resources Board and the South Coast Air Quality Management District.
"Our clean air programs are effectively reducing air pollution from port sources – the numbers clearly demonstrate that," said Long Beach Board of Harbour commissioners President, Susan E. Anderson Wise.
"With cleaner fuels, more shore power and other programs, we're on track to continue to further reduce air pollution from the Port," she added.
In its latest effort to improve local air quality, the Port of Long Beach said effective July 1, 2012 it began offering cash incentives to shipping lines bringing "the newest and cleanest cargo ships" to the Port through the "Green Ship Incentive Program."
