Extra US$9m Long Beach slow steaming incentive

The programme gives financial incentives to ship operators to slow their vessels near the Port. Currently, nearly all ships docking at the Port of Long Beach slow down within a 20-mile zone around the harbour.

The added incentive is expected to encourage more ships to slow within 40 miles, further decreasing air pollution from the ships’ diesel engines. In 2009 the ‘Green Flag’ programme helped reduce about 2,000 tonnes of pollution; the expanded incentives could reduce an additional 300 tonnes.

The Port also will add nearly US$6m in incentives to attract more rail-borne cargo, by extending the fee discounts to terminal operators from its original expiry date of 30 April to the end of this year. In a related action, the Board also agreed to eliminate potential double wharfage fees for export containers that are transported between terminals.