Port of Long Beach approves green flag program for ships that slow down
The Long Beach Harbor Commission voted Monday to award green flag designations to vessels that comply with a program asking cargo vessels to slow their speeds as they approach the ports of Long Beach and Los Angeles, a move that could save ocean carriers money on dockage rates.
The so-called vessel speed reduction program helps the ports eliminate tons of air pollutants annually from bunker-burning ships because emissions increase non-linearly with speed.
Beginning next year, vessels that observe a 12-knot speed limit within 20 miles of the port during an entire year of voyages to and from Long Beach will be awarded a green flag to recognize their contributions to improved air quality, the port said in a press release.
The ocean carriers, who operate the individual ships, will qualify for a 15 percent discounted 'green flag' dockage rate during the following 12 months if 90 percent of their vessels comply with the 12-knot speed limit for a year.
If all of the carriers qualify for green flag rates, the port would make an estimated $2.2 million investment through reduced dockage collections to significantly cut emissions of nitrogen oxide, a component of smog.
Port of Long Beach approves green flag program for ships that slow down
