Long Beach honours shipping lines

The companies achieved the highest rates of compliance with the programme and the most frequent vessel calls in 2007, among 146 companies that earned Green Flags. The Green Flag program, which rewards ships and vessel operators for voluntarily slowing ship speeds in the harbour to reduce air pollution, achieved its highest rates of compliance ever in 2007, at nearly 90 percent. In February 2008 the compliance rate climbed even higher, to nearly 95 percent.

Under the Green Flag program, the Port offers discounted dockage fees and environmental awards to vessel operators who achieve compliance rates of 90 percent or better and Green Flags to individual ships that have 100 percent compliance with the program for a year. In 2007 more than 60 percent of all individual ships – 600 vessels in total – were 100 percent compliant and will be given Green Flags to fl y on their masts. More than 60 percent of vessel operators, 146 in total, where 90 percent compliant, qualifying for discounted rates and Green Flags. The slower ships speeds resulted in a 620-ton reduction in air pollution during 2007. The companies honoured were: Alaska Tanker, Carnival Corp, China Shipping Container Lines, CMA CGM, China Ocean Shipping Co. (COSCO), Hanjin Shipping, Hyundai Merchant Marine, “K” Line, Mediterranean Shipping Co. (MSC), NYK, OOCL, Wallenius Wilhelmsen, Wan Hai Lines, Zim Integrated Shipping.