The ports of Los Angeles, Long Beach and Shanghai on Sept. 22 announced a Implementation Plan Outline for the first trans-Pacific Green Shipping Corridor.
The plan, supported by corridor facilitator C40 Cities, calls for an accelerated effort to lower emissions along one of the busiest shipping routes in the world.
Carrier partners such as CMA CGM, COSCO Shipping Lines Co., Ltd., Maersk and ONE have said they intend to start using “reduced or zero lifecycle carbon capable” vessels on the corridor by 2025 and work together to show that the first zero lifecycle carbon emission container vessels are feasible by 2030, according to the ports.
Port of L.A. Executive Director Gene Seroka said the corridor would be a model for the global cooperation needed to accelerate change throughout the industry.
“For perspective, most of the emissions associated with moving cargo by ship occur in the mid-ocean part of the journey between ports,” Seroka said. “This corridor will help reduce mid-ocean emissions while continuing the work we have done to cut emissions within our ports.”
Port of Long Beach CEO Mario Cordero expressed similar sentiments.
“This initiative will drive emissions reductions across the world’s largest ocean and lead to greener practices from supply chain participants along these vital trade routes,” Cordero said. “The new and innovative vessel technologies, increased availability of sustainable fuels and better practices created through this green corridor will also impact society’s transition to a cleaner future far beyond the areas served by our ports.”
