Port of Los Angeles Concurrently Sets Cargo and Emissions Reduction Records

Port of Los Angeles’ emissions of nitrogen oxides (NOx) are down an unprecedented 60 percent compared to 2005 emissions levels, their lowest level to date, while its container volume reached an all-time high of 9.34 million twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs).  Overall, the 2017 findings show the Port has maintained or exceeded the dramatic clean air progress it has made over the last 12 years, and has now met all of its 2023 Clean Air Action Plan (CAAP) goals. Diesel particulate matter (DPM) remains down 87 percent, and sulfur oxides (SOx) remain down 98 percent.

“Our port is driving the global economy forward — and showing the world how we can produce record-breaking growth and protect the environment at the same time,” said Mayor Eric Garcetti. “Our progress on reducing emissions to just a fraction of our 2005 levels — while we ship more cargo than ever— is proof that our Clean Air Action Plan is working and exceeding expectations.”

“As of this inventory, we’ve hit all our 2023 targets for tackling the primary pollutants associated with port operations during our busiest year ever,” said Harbor Commission President Jaime Lee. “This is great news for our Port, our industry and our community.

To achieve this feat, the port reduced the average amount of emissions it generates to move each container. The Port posted its best year ever, dropping the average amount of emissions the port generates to move each container of cargo for all eight pollutants tracked by the Port’s emissions inventory, including greenhouse gases (GHG), which were down 30 percent per container on average since 2005.