The Port of Los Angeles has released its new Inventory of Air Emissions which shows emissions for calendar year 2022 are down from all port-related sources.
According to the Californian port, the decrease is due to both a reduction in ships at anchor and the Port’s ongoing environmental initiatives.
‘The latest results are positive for our communities impacted by the Port's emissions,’ said Los Angeles Mayor, Karen Bass. ‘It is encouraging to see the Port and its partners are back on track with reducing emissions associated with the movement of goods.
‘There is still work to be done to ensure we continue to make accelerated progress towards our clean air goals and I look forward to continuing the work with our community stakeholders to deliver on our promise of a zero-emission port.’
Los Angeles Harbor Commission President, Lucille Roybal-Allard, added: ‘Regional, state and federal air regulatory agencies review these findings every year prior to their release. This process validates our progress and helps shape how we move forward to reach our ultimate goal of zero emissions.’
Port of Los Angeles Executive Director, Gene Seroka, acknowledged that there was ‘much work ahead’, but said the year-over-year clean air gains ‘show what we can do when we collaborate with our industry partners to tackle unprecedented challenges like reducing ships at anchor.’
Seroka added: ‘At the same time, our longstanding initiatives such as the continued turnover of vessels, locomotives, drayage trucks and terminal equipment to newer, cleaner models and our dedicated pursuit of operational efficiencies continue to advance our march toward zero.’
During 2022, emissions of diesel particulate matter (DPM), nitrogen oxides (NOx) and sulphur oxides (SOx) declined 31%, 34% and 47% respectively, compared with the previous year. As previously reported, an increase in emissions in 2021 was attributed to the pandemic-induced cargo surge that also impacted the neighbouring Port of Long Beach.
Compared to the port’s 2005 baseline year, DPM, NOx and SOx emissions were down 88%, 62% and 97% respectively. ‘The results mirror the Port’s best years for reducing ground-level pollution since the baseline year,’ the port said.
The 2022 data show emissions from ships at anchorage fell 75% compared with the previous year.
‘Due to the unprecedented increase in vessel calls in 2021, ships at anchor became one of the most visible signs of record cargo volumes and supply chain disruptions that made that year an outlier.’
Fewer ships delivering more cargo, the Port of Los Angeles said, is among the efficiency measures helping to lower emissions. As a result of the larger vessels calling today, containership arrivals have dropped 41% while container volume has grown 32% since 2005.
The 2022 report shows the Port made progress in reducing greenhouse gases (GHGs), down 22% compared with the previous year and 4% since 2005. Still, maintained the Port, ‘cutting GHGs remains a significant challenge’ and progress ‘hinges on further breakthroughs in operational efficiency, innovation and technology.’
The Port of Los Angeles highlighted collaborations with its trans-Pacific partners to decarbonise vessels and establish green shipping corridors, including the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore and the Japanese ports of Tokyo, Yokohama and Nagoya.
