The Port of Long Beach revealed June 9 that is has signed on to the Shanghai-Los Angeles Green Shipping Corridor, a partnership of cities, ports, shipping companies and cargo owners convened to create a zero-emissions trans-Pacific trade route.
First announced in January by the ports of Shanghai and Los Angeles, C40 Cities and key maritime stakeholders, this Green Shipping Corridor is expected to be a big step toward decarbonizing shipping between the busiest ports in China and the U.S.
C40 Cities is a network of cities around the world that are working to confront climate change.
The partnership said that it intends to work together to achieve these goals by developing a “Green Shipping Corridor Implementation Plan” by the end of 2022 that will include deliverables, goals and interim milestones, as well as roles for participants.
“This initiative builds on important efforts our port participates in,” Port of Long Beach Executive Director Mario Cordero said. “It also … supports our shared goals to reduce carbon emissions and advance technologies, especially for vessels, which are our largest source of emissions.”
“Accelerating efforts to decarbonize the shipping sector is urgent if we are to limit global heating to 1.5 degrees Celsius,” C40 Executive Director Mark Watts said. “By convening a powerful coalition that includes the San Pedro Bay ports complex, the Port of Shanghai and key maritime industry stakeholders, we hope to be an important catalyst in decarbonizing supply chains of all kinds around the world, while also creating a replicable model for other port cities to follow.”
“Joining the Green Shipping Corridor extends our influence outside of our own city, seeks to decarbonize shipping operations and reinforces our commitment to balancing economic activity with sustainability,” Long Beach Harbor Commission President Steven Neal said.
Key decarbonization goals for the Green Shipping Corridor partnership include:
The phasing in of low, ultra-low and zero-carbon fueled ships through the 2020s with the world’s first zero-carbon trans-Pacific container ships introduced by 2030 by shipping lines.
The development of best management practices to help reduce emissions and improve efficiency for all ships using this international trade corridor.
Reducing supply-chain emissions from port operations and improving air quality in the Los Angeles, Long Beach and Shanghai seaports, as well as adjacent communities.
More information about the Port of Long Beach’s environmental programs is available at www.polb.com/environment.