Long Beach honours green industry players

Shipping lines, environmental organisations, trucking companies, terminal operators and a railroad were honoured at the 2015 awards, which are an extension of the port’s Green Port Policy,

LBCT was named the top Environmental Excellence winner overall for its commitment to working with the Port to implement clean technologies and to create the world’s most advanced container shipping terminal.

“Long Beach Container Terminal has shown exemplary leadership in the fight for cleaner air,” said Mayor Garcia. “The company is a vital part of the Port of Long Beach as a business partner and as a partner in improving life for the people of Long Beach.”

The port also awarded Green Port Policy 10th Anniversary ‘Environmental Excellence’ honours to companies and groups for going above and beyond in helping the port achieve its ambitious environmental goals. These were given to Tesoro for top performance in the port’s Green Ship Programme; Ability Tri-Modal and Total Transportation Service Inc trucking companies for their leadership in the port’s Clean Trucks Programme and the port’s short line railroad, Pacific Harbor Line, for its pursuit for cleaner and cleaner locomotives to move freight in the harbour complex.

In addition, SSAT/Matson terminal was honoured for its performance in the port’s stormwater runoff control programme, while an environmental coalition of the groups Natural Resources Defense Council, Coalition for Clean Air, East Yard Communities for Environmental Justice and Communities for Clean Ports/EndOil were honoured for highlighting environmental issues.

On top of this, nine vessel operators were honoured as top performers in the Green Flag Vessel Speed Reduction Programme. Winners who slowed down within 20 nautical miles were Carnival Cruise Lines, CMA CGM, Hanjin Shipping Co Ltd, Matson, Inc and Alaska Tanker Co. Alaska Tanker received special honours for 100% compliance from 20 miles since 2006. In the 40-nautical mile category, the winners were COSCO, K Line, MOL and Mediterranean Shipping Co.

In addition, more than 150 vessel operators earned the coveted Green Flag for their participation in the program in 2014.