LA, Long Beach Present Final Clean Air Plan Update

US ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach have moved further on their path toward zero emissions operations by releasing the final 2017 San Pedro Bay Ports Clean Air Action Plan (CAAP) Update.

The seaports presented the draft 2017 CAAP Update in July. The final version incorporates comments and changes and is scheduled to be considered for approval in a joint public meeting of the two ports’ harbor commissions on November 2.

“The original CAAP and the 2010 update have proven highly effective,” the ports said, adding that the updated document was developed over the last two years “to craft strategies to further reduce air pollution and associated health risks from port-related sources.”

In early October, the Pacific Merchant Shipping Association (PMSA) raised concerns over the USD 14-plus billion plan, stating that it needs some changes.

PMSA requested the CAAP Update “focus on commercially available technology supported by national or state emissions standards, coupled with clearly defined mechanisms of implementation that are financially feasible and economically competitive.”

“The CAAP, as drafted, seeks to transform the technology on the waterfront while ensuring basic operations do not evolve to meet changing demands,” John McLaurin, president of the Pacific Merchant Shipping Association, said.

The Port of Los Angeles and Port of Long Beach handle around 40 percent of the nation’s total containerized import traffic and 25 percent of its total exports.