A group of international maritime entities have announced a Green Framework Partnership to work together on decarbonizing ocean trade and ensuring a green maritime economy around the Pacific Rim.
Representatives from the Port of Long Beach, Shenzhen Port Group, Hutchison Ports YANTIAN, South Coast Air Quality Management District (AQMD) and the North American Representative Office of Shenzhen met in Shenzhen, China on Sunday to sign the memorandum.
The agreement creates a foundation for future clean technology collaborations, programs and exchanges to promote the development of sustainable infrastructure industry-wide. It also prioritizes economic development that incorporates sustainability and public health.
“One of the most important parts of strategic partnerships like this is the ability to target shipborne emissions, a source we have little power to regulate as a local port authority,” said Port of Long Beach CEO Mario Cordero in a public statement. “We see the potential for this agreement to make fleets cleaner sooner. The technologies and practices we develop through this agreement also have the potential to have a positive impact on the environment and economies far beyond our two ports and cities.”
Possible future collaborations between the memorandum signees include maritime technology demonstration projects, along with meetings and workshops to share pertinent information that can reduce international trade emissions.
“Building on the signing of this memorandum, we will drive initiatives in new fuel bunkering technologies, such as green methanol, and the development of zero-carbon ro-ro terminals,” said Shenzhen Port Group Chairman Zhaoyang Hu in a public statement. “By enhancing communication and information sharing between the two ports, we aim to improve cargo transportation efficiency and establish more advanced green shipping corridors. These efforts will play a key role in achieving [the] global Dual-Carbon Goal and fostering deeper economic and trade cooperation between China and the U.S.”
The memorandum also introduces the possibility of a Sister Ports Agreement between the Port of Long Beach and YANTIAN. The agreement builds upon the Port of Long Beach’s previous environmental initiatives, including the Green Port Policy and Clean Air Action Plan alongside the Port of Los Angeles.
