Two Decades of Going Green

Global containerized trade has nearly doubled in only 8 years and keeps growing. Vessel capacity has doubled, and U.S. ports continue to expand.

Carriers voluntarily slow their ships within 20 and 40 nautical miles of San Pedro Bay ports to reduce vessel emissions.

NRDC and local groups win their appeal of the China Shipping terminal development case. The port of Los Angeles settles the lawsuit.

Facing criticism from regulators and the public, the Port of Long Beach rescinds approval of its own EIR and stops the Pier J South terminal redevelopment project.

California’s air regulatory agency adopts the first rules to reduce pollution from cargo handling equipment at state ports and intermodal rail yards.

The Port of Long Beach adopts its Green Port Policy, a full-court-press approach for all Port divisions to work with industry and the community on reducing the impacts of Port operations.

The Port of Los Angeles’ No Net Increase Task Force issues its report on reducing air emissions. It concludes 4 years of work by a committee of industry, community and government members.

The California Global Warming Solutions Act (AB 32) becomes law, setting a 2020 deadline for the state to cut greenhouse gas emissions to 1990 levels.

The ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach adopt their landmark Clean Air Action Plan (CAAP) for cutting emissions from ships, trucks, trains, terminal equipment and harbor craft.

California’s air regulatory agency adopts shore power rules requiring most ships calling at six major ports to turn off auxiliary engines and run on electricity at berth.

California’s air regulatory agency adopts commercial harbor craft regulation to reduce emissions from fishing ships, tugs, and other workboats.

The first CAAP Technology Advancement Program grants are awarded to projects testing pollution reduction systems for vessels, trucks, locomotives and terminal equipment.

The Great Recession is in full swing, leading to abrupt drop in cargo volumes, higher unemployment, and loss of West Coast market share for the San Pedro Bay ports.

California’s air regulatory agency adopts low-sulfur fuel rules for ships ahead of a 2010 U.S. mandate and 2020 international requirements.

Under the CAAP, the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach launch the Clean Truck Program. The ports ban old, dirty diesel trucks and offer grants to buy cleaner models.

Through the International Association of Ports and Harbors, ports around the globe issue guidance for assessing their carbon footprint and lowering their greenhouse gas emissions.

The ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach update CAAP. Changes include new 2014 and 2023 targets for reducing pollution and 2020 targets for reducing health risks.

The European Union issues directive 2014/94/EU, setting rules and targets for deploying alternative fuel infrastructure for electric, natural gas, and hydrogen vehicles.

China amends its Air Pollution Prevention and Control Law to require ships to use fuels that meet national emission standards and terminals to install shore power infrastructure.

After collaborating with major stakeholders, California issues its Sustainable Freight Action Plan guiding agencies to coordinate spending and programs for freight transportation and energy.

The ports reach their 2023 CAAP targets for cutting DPM, NOx and SOx from port-related sources 6 years early. DPM is down 87%, SOx is down 97%, and NOx is down 58% since 2005.

The ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach issue their second CAAP update. New targets include transitioning trucks and terminal equipment to near-zero and zero emissions technology.

The U.S. imposes tariffs on China. The ensuing trade war squeezes consumers and businesses, creates long-term uncertainty for investment, and endangers U.S. jobs and the economy.

Labor unions renew protests against automation, putting workers and jobs at odds with green, energy-saving equipment that doesn’t require a workforce.

The outbreak of COVID-19 leads to a global pandemic, causing nearly 2 million cases, more than 100,000 deaths, record unemployment, and a worldwide economic crisis.