The Port of Long Beach's Green Flag and Green Ship annual awards honored 20 shipping lines for efforts to improve air quality.
Efforts to improve air quality locally were accomplished by slowing ships down or deploying cleaner vessels, or both.
The Port’s Green Flag Program was created in 2005 and participation today is nearly universal. In 2012, almost 96 percent of all ships calling at Long Beach slowed to 12 knots within 20 nautical miles of the Port. In 2009, the Port added the 40 nautical mile option and last year, more than 83 percent of vessels slowed from 40 nautical miles. Slower ships burn less fuel, producing less pollution. Thirteen shipping lines were found to be top performers, earning Green Flags this
These programs offer financial incentives. Green Flag participants were awarded $2.5 million in dockage fee discounts in 2012. And since the Green Ship Program began in July 2012, the Port has awarded $135,000 in incentives.
Green Flag 20 nautical mile winners:
• Matson Navigation
• CMA CGM
Green Flag 40 nautical mile winners:
• Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha or “K” Line
• China Ocean Shipping Company or COSCO
• Nippon Yusen Kaisha -- NYK Line
• Alaska Tanker Co LLC
• BP Shipping Ltd.
• ZIM Integrated Shipping
• Pacific International Lines
• Mitsui OSK Lines, or MOL, Ltd.
Green Ship award winners:
• Wallenius Wilhelmsen Logistics
• Tesoro - Gold Star Maritime Co.
• Wan Hai Lines (America) Ltd.
• NAVIG8 Group Holdings Inc.
• Oxbow Carbon and Minerals, LLC
•
OSG International Inc.
• OSG Ship Management (GR) Ltd.
Dual winners of Green Flag and Green Ship award:
• Hanjin Shipping (20 nautical mile Green Flag)
• Mediterranean Shipping Co. or MSC (40 nautical mile Green Flag)
• Orient Overseas Container Line or OOCL (40 nautical mile Green Flag)