Long Beach, China Merchants in environmental accord

Long Beach, China Merchants in environmental accord    The Port of Long Beach and terminal operating power China Merchants Holdings International have signed an environmental exchange agreement to further 'green' technologies and practices on both sides of the Pacific Ocean.
   It's the fourth such agreement Long Beach has signed, following similar pacts with the Port of Rotterdam, Yantian International Container Terminals and a ports group in Mexico.
   'This agreement recognizes that we are not only partners in trade, but partners in ideas and solutions that safeguard our environment and ensure a sustainable future for our seaports,' said Nick Sramek, Port of Long Beach Board of Harbor Commissioners president, who signed the accord in Qingdao while on a trade mission with other Port officials. 'We are grateful and honored to have a major player like China Merchants as a partner in our environmental efforts.'
   China Merchants Holdings International is the largest public port operator in China, with a nationwide port network that includes coastal hub ports in Hong Kong, Shenzhen, Ningbo, Shanghai, Qingdao, Tianjin, Xiamen Bay and Zhanjiang. In 2008, CMHI-invested terminals handled 50.48 million TEUs, which accounted for 35 percent of China's total container throughput.
   'This agreement signifies that CMHI is determined to build a sustainable company and environment through our strategic green port policies,' said Liu Yunshu, executive director and deputy general manager of CMHI.
   The agreement calls on the two parties to collaborate on environmental issues such as marine wildlife, air quality, soils and sediments, water quality, sustainability and community engagement. The accord covers the exchange of technical information on improving air quality, the establishment of joint delegations to study port emissions and pollutants, as well as the ongoing development of control measures and best practices surrounding port and urban sustainability policies.