Port of Los Angeles Honors Customers for Ongoing Commitment to Vessel Speed Reduction Program

SAN PEDRO, Calif. — May 18, 2012 — The Port of Los Angeles has recognized the top performing shipping and cruise lines for helping to reduce air pollution by lowering their vessel speeds during routine calls made to the Port as part of its Vessel Speed Reduction Program (VSRP), an initiative that sets a standard for ocean-going vessels to decrease their speeds as they approach the Port.

Customers recognized in this year’s VSRP included APL, Chevron USA Marine Branch, China Navigation, China Shipping, CMA CGM, Crystal Cruises, Disney Cruise Line, Evergreen Marine, Grieg Star Shipping, Hapag-Lloyd, Hyundai Merchant Marine, Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha, Maersk Line, Mitsui OSK Lines, MSC Mediterranean Shipping, Nippon Yusen Kaisha, Nissan Motor Car Carrier, Norwegian Cruise Line, NYKCool AB, Orient Overseas Container Line, Star Tankers, Tokyo Marine, and Yang Ming Marine Transport.

“Year after year, the Vessel Speed Reduction Program has proven to be a successful component to improving air quality,” said Port of Los Angeles Executive Director Geraldine Knatz, Ph.D. “The Port of Los Angeles is fortunate to have forward-thinking customers who support these environmental programs, while raising the bar higher and setting a global standard.”

First established in 2001, the VSRP is a voluntary program designed to reduce NOx emissions from ocean-going vessels by slowing their speeds as they approach or depart the Port, generally at 20 nautical miles from Point Fermin. In recent years, the program has been extended and now includes incentives for reducing speeds at 20 nautical miles as well as 40 nautical miles. In 2011, 332 vessels were 100-percent compliant in the program, aiding in the reduction of 84 tons of Diesel Particulate Matter (DPM) emissions, 808 tons of sulfur oxide (SOx) emissions, and 1,158 tons of nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions. The Port pays incentives to shipping lines that achieve a 90 percent or higher participation rate in VSRP in a calendar year.

The Port of Los Angeles is America’s premier port and has a strong commitment to developing innovative strategic and sustainable operations that benefit the economy as well as the quality of life for the region and the nation it serves. As the leading seaport in North America in terms of shipping container volume and cargo value, the Port supports more than 830,000 regional jobs and $35 billion in annual wages and tax revenues.

The Port of Los Angeles – A cleaner port. A brighter future.