The Port of LA’s Executive Director, Gene Seroka has confirmed that the port has met its targets nine years ahead of schedule.
This confirmation statement comes following reports that suggested the port had failed to meet targeted pollution reduction measures. However, the port executive director claims that the 2014 emissions inventory reveals that nitrogen oxides (NOx) have been reduced by 52%, sulphur oxides (SOx) by 97% and diesel exhaust pollution (DPM) by 85%, compared to 2008 levels.
The emissions inventory statistics were announced at the same time as the TraPac container terminal environmental audit results on February 4, 2016. During the announcement, Seroka detailed how out of the 52 mitigation measures in this particular contract, currently the port is in good standing on 49 of the 52 mitigation measures.
Remaining mitigation measures to be tackled by the port relate to air pollution minimisation, such as through the use of alterative marine power. Due to lack of infrastructure and terminal modernisation, advancement in such techniques has not propelled as much as other emissions reductions measures.
Seroka stated that many ships are not amp capable and can therefore not utilise shore-power. At the Port of LA, only 53% of ships plugged into shore-side electrical power last year, 33.75% short of the 80% target set.
