Ships calling on the Port of Long Beach are a significant source of emissions that cause air pollution. The Port is working to reduce these emissions through:

Main Engine Low-Sulfur Fuel Incentive Program
The Port has committed up to $10 million for a one-year incentive program to encourage vessel operators to use low sulfur (0.2 percent sulfur or less) Marine Gas Oil (MGO) in their main engines during their approach or departure, out to 20 or 40 nautical miles from Point Fermin.  The port will provide funding to cover the cost differential between the cleaner burning low-sulfur fuel and the heavy bunker fuel typically used.  To receive the incentive, vessel operators must also participate in the Vessel Speed Reduction Program and use low sulfur fuel in their auxiliary engines while at berth.  The program will be in place from July 1, 2008 through June 30, 2009, after which time the California Air Resources Board regulation is expected to come into effect.  PDF versions of the incentive program Fact Sheet and Workshop Presentation are available.  In addition, the ports completed a Low Sulfur Marine Fuel Availability Study in April 2008, to evaluate availability of low sulfur fuel at major bunkering ports in support of implementation of the ports' related programs (Adobe Acrobat Reader needed).

Ship-to-shore Electricity
The Port has completed a $350,000 study to prepare for a significant change in Port operations: Using electrical power for ships at berth rather than diesel-burning engines, a practice commonly known as "cold ironing." Replacing a ship's auxiliary engines with on-shore electric power significantly reduces emissions. The study analyzed a variety of factors such as vessel retrofit requirements, power demands, shore-side infrastructure needs, estimated costs and potential emission reductions. A PDF Version is available of the Cold-Ironing Report or Cold Ironing Ship to Shore Standards (Adobe Acrobat Reader needed).

Green Flag Program
The Port has committed as much as $2.2 million a year to encourage participation in the Voluntary Vessel Ship Speed Reduction Program, which urges vessels to travel at or below 12 knots within 20 miles of the coast. Ships traveling at slower speeds reduce emissions. With the Green Flag Incentives, which rewards vessel operators with environmental recognition and lower dockage fees, the Port hopes to reach 100 percent compliance with the speed limit program by the end of 2007.

Vessels that dock at the Port of Long Beach will earn a Green Flag environ­mental achievement award when they attain 100% compliance with the vol­untary vessel speed reduction program for a 12-month period. Carriers that achieve a 90% compliance rate in a 12-month period (measurements began in January 2006), will be eligible for a 15% reduction in dockage otherwise payable to the Port (Green Rate) in the following year. Operators whose fleets were 90% com­pliant in 2006 are currently enjoying reduced dockage in 2007.

The Port’s voluntary speed reduction program asks that vessels entering or leaving the Port observe a 12-knot speed limit in a zone that extends 20 nautical miles seaward from Point Fermin. The speed of every vessel in the speed reduction zone is measured and recorded by the Marine Exchange of Southern California.

Smoke Stack Reductions
The Port is assisting the South Coast Air Quality Management District in enforcing regulations that prohibit excessive emissions from vessels that call at the Port with its Smoke Stack Emission Reduction Program. Through education and outreach to vessel operators and citations from the Port's Harbor Patrol officers, the Port encourages proper maintenance, operational controls and use of alternative fuels to reduce