The Port of Long Beach on June 9 announced that it has joined the Shanghai-Los Angeles Green Shipping Corridor, a network of cities, ports and other maritime industry stakeholders gathered to develop a zero-emissions trans-Pacific trade route.
“Accelerating efforts to decarbonize the shipping sector is urgent if we are to limit global heating to 1.5 degrees Celsius,” C40 Cities Climate Leadership Group 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.”
The stated goal is to develop a Green Shipping Corridor Implementation Plan with milestones, participants’ roles and other plans by the end of the year.
“This initiative builds on important efforts our port participates in, including the World Ports Climate Action Program, an international commitment to develop projects to address global warming and meet the goals outlined in the Paris Agreement,” POLB Executive Director Mario Cordero said. “It also complements the Clean Air Action Plan, and supports our shared goals to reduce carbon emissions and advance technologies, especially for vessels, which are our largest source of emissions.”
