The Port of Los Angeles and Copenhagen Malmö Port AB (CMP) have entered into a five-year Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to collaborate on sustainability and environmental issues.
Officials from both ports signed the MOU at a ceremony held at the Port of Los Angeles on Nov. 15.
“The MOU between the two ports focuses on facilitating dialogue, information exchange and sharing of best practices. Key areas of cooperation identified under the agreement include energy use and alternative energy sources; advance clean marine terminal equipment technology, ocean-going vessels and drayage trucks; and involvement in global environmental associations and initiatives,” the ports said in a statement.
The ports have similar environmental challenges. Together with Long Beach, Los Angeles is a world leader in addressing diesel emissions reductions and air quality from road trucks and vessels, but addressing the impact from within its main terminals is proving more challenging. Of the more than 100 RTGs operating across the port none are running on electricity. Finding a zero emissions alternative to the more than 200 top handlers across the port is also a major challenge as Los Angeles strives for zero emissions.
CMP has a focus on reducing the carbon dioxide footprint of its operation with the aim of being “climate neutral” by 2025. To help achieve this it has switched from purchasing to leasing equipment, so it can access newer technology faster. Currently around half of all its machinery and vehicles are electric powered.
While they both face challenges, Los Angeles and CMP are out in front when it comes to measuring their environmental impact, and their level of transparency and accountability in sustainability measures. At Los Angeles (and Long Beach) in particular, the level of information publicly available on the emissions profile of the vast equipment fleet across both ports is unmatched anywhere in the world.
“This agreement further solidifies our partnership with CMP, and our mutual interest in promoting the most efficient, most sustainable goods movement possible,” said Gene Seroka, Executive Director of the Port of Los Angeles. “With cooperative information-sharing among ports around the world, the Port of Los Angeles has been able to achieve many of our advancements in reducing environmental impacts from port operations over the last decade.”
“We look forward to working with the Port of Los Angeles on how to continuously promote sustainable port development and management,” said Barbara Scheel Agersnap, CEO of CMP. “In order to accelerate solutions on sustainable matters, we need to push for new technologies and new ways of working. Strong partnerships are key to solid and speedy development – and we hope this agreement will also accelerate cooperation between the green maritime development in our two regions for mutual benefit.”
Source: WorldCargo News