“These are two leaders in environmental port policies agreeing to work together to make their ports the ‘greenest’ in the world,” said Long Beach Mayor Bob Foster, who was in Shenzhen on a trade mission with members of the Port of Long Beach’s Board of Harbor Commissioners.
Long Beach, part of the world’s fifth busiest container cargo port complex, has pioneered environmental stewardship with its landmark Green Port Policy. YICT – part of the world’s fourth busiest port complex – has also enacted trail-blazing environmental policies and programmes.
“As a world-class port, we recognise our social responsibility and the importance of safeguarding the environment,” said Kenneth Tse, YICT director and general manager. “By working closely with the ‘green’ Port of Long Beach, we can both implement better long-term, sustainable strategies to ensure environmental protection in all our commercial activities.”
With the first comprehensive ecological exchange agreement between major ports, YICT and the Port of Long Beach will collaborate on environmental issues such as marine wildlife, air quality, soils and sediments, water quality, sustainability and community engagement.
The accord also covers the exchange of technical information on improving air quality, the establishment of joint delegations to study port emissions and pollutants, and the development of control measures and best practices surrounding port and urban sustainability policies.
The Long Beach delegation also travelled to Japan, where it met representatives of shipper “K” Line. The Japanese company has nearly completed the retrofits of five vessels in order to plug into shore-side electricity at the Port of Long Beach, under a ‘green’ lease agreement signed last year, aimed at improving air quality.
“We are pleased to see that “K” Line is moving so quickly to help us curb air pollution,” said Mayor Foster. “The cooperation of our partner shipping lines is critical to improving air quality at the Port.”
