The ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach honored five companies for their extraordinary efforts to fight harmful emissions at the 6th Annual Clean Air Action Plan (CAAP) Air Quality Awards held in San Pedro.

"The significant air quality improvements that our two ports have achieved would not be possible without the leadership, cooperation and initiative of the tenants and customers doing business here," said Port of Los Angeles Executive Director Geraldine Knatz, Ph.D. "We sincerely appreciate all their efforts to support our mission of a greener, cleaner port community."

"Because of the innovative initiatives of our partners, overall diesel emissions are down by an amazing 75 percent, and we continue to advance toward our goal of zero emissions," said Port of Long Beach Acting Deputy Executive Director Dr. Noel Hacegaba. "We congratulate these companies whose initiatives are setting the standard for ports around the world."

The CAAP Air Quality Awards began shortly after the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach approved the historic San Pedro Bay Ports Clean Air Action Plan in 2006. Port tenants and other port-related businesses are eligible to submit award entries, which are judged by a panel composed of port staff and representatives from the South Coast Air Quality Management District, California Air Resources Board and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Awards this year were made in three categories:

Air Quality Leadership at the Corporate Level

• Wallenius Wilhelmsen Logistics (WWL) - As a global shipping and logistics company, WWL has made a corporate-wide commitment to be an environmental performance frontrunner. Since 2004, WWL has adhered to a 1.5 percent global fleet sulfur fuel policy, though regulations called for less restrictive limits between 3.5 and 4.5 percent. In addition, WWL's new, ultra-modern "Salome" vessel was the first to qualify in 2012 for an incentive under the Port of Long Beach's Green Ship Incentive Program, a voluntary clean air initiative that rewards ocean carriers whose ships are equipped with Tier II or III engines. To further demonstrate its commitment to sustainability, WWL has also voluntarily allowed for third-party verification of its greenhouse gas emissions annually since 2009, the results of which are published in an annual Environmental Sustainability Report.

• OOCL USA Inc. - One of the world's largest integrated international container transportation, logistics and terminal companies, OOCL is dedicated to taking a proactive role in minimizing its carbon footprint and improving air quality. Last year, OOCL signed a "green lease" with the Port of Long Beach pledging to reduce harmful emissions by 50 percent, even as the company plans to double growth. OOCL will achieve this by using shore power to reduce emissions while at port, as well as by continuing its participation in the ports' Vessel Speed Reduction Program, an initiative that involves the lowering of vessel speeds to reduce emissions when ships approach the port. In 2012, OOCL joined the Port of Los Angeles' Environmental Ship Index incentive program, a voluntary clean air initiative that rewards ocean carriers for bringing their newest and cleanest vessels to the Port of Los Angeles. In addition, OOCL regularly encourages and works with its customers and employees to take action to lower their carbon footprints.

Innovative Air Quality Improvement Technologies

• Foss Maritime Co. - Providing comprehensive marine transportation and logistical services, Foss Maritime developed, built and operates the world's first hybrid tugboat, which has been working in the San Pedro Bay since 2009. When compared to conventionally powered tugs, the company's innovative hybrid technology has resulted in emission reductions of 73 percent in PM 2.5, 51 percent for NOx and 27 percent for CO₂. In 2012, the company voluntarily retrofitted another tugboat for operation in the harbor as well, creating the world's second hybrid tug. Foss has just received U.S. EPA verification of the environmental benefits of its tugboat hybrid technology, which will create more widespread use and additional funding opportunities for this promising technology.

• APL - Global container transportation company APL is strongly committed to improving air quality at the San Pedro Bay ports. The company was the first to install and test "seawater scrubber" technology on a container ship calling at the two ports. The technology involved the installation of a single low-maintenance seawater scrubbing device on the ship's three auxiliary engines, which helped reduce contaminants in the exhaust stream, removed waste from the wash water prior to discharge overboard, and maintained the discharged water pH within International Maritime Organization (IMO) guidelines. The seawater scrubber successfully reduced SOx emissions by as much as 99 percent and 70 percent for PM when running on HFO (heavy fuel oil), and 97 percent for SOx and 78 percent for PM when using MGO (marine gas oil).

Innovative Operations That Improve Air Quality

• Knight Transportation - With a company-wide commitment to protect the environment, Knight Transportation is recognized for having one of the newest and cleanest truck fleets in the maritime industry, operating more than 4,000 trucks nationwide, 330 of which are in the Los Angeles/Long Beach area. Half of the company's trucks operating at the two ports are 2010 or newer, which exceeds current requirements. Engines on the 2010 and newer trucks have reduced CO₂ emissions by approximately 18 percent and NOx emissions by 90 percent. Knight has also modified approximately 97 percent of its van trailers with blade technology that reduces fuel consumption by 7 percent. In addition, 100 percent of its tractors are equipped with diesel-fired bunk heaters, thus reducing a driver's need to idle trucks during the cooler winter months.

The Port of Los Angeles and the Port of Long Beach are the two busiest U.S. seaports, moving $355 billion in trade each year and supporting hundreds of thousands of jobs in Southern California.