Port of Los Angeles Responds to TraPac Environmental Audit Results Showing Lack of Shore Power Enforcement

by Ship & Bunker News Team
Tuesday February 9, 2016

Addressing the findings of a recent audit, the Port of Los Angeles' Executive Director, Gene Seroka, says that the port has met its pollution reduction targets nine years ahead of schedule.

As Ship & Bunker previously reported, a recent audit found that the TraPac terminal at the Port of Los Angeles has failed to meet a number of the city's air quality improvement measures, including failing to ensure that cargo vessels plug into shore power while docked.

"The TraPac audit has revealed that we are substantially below the emissions inventory levels that were contemplated and promised to the community," said Seroka at a Harbor Commission meeting on Thursday.

Seroka explained the 2014 emission inventory for the port has shown diesel particulate matter (DPM) pollution declined by 85 percent, while nitrogen oxide (NOx) and sulfur oxides (SOx) were reduced by 52 percent and 97 percent, respectively.

Seroka says that the port will begin posting "accomplishments and achievements with respect to mitigation measures" on the organisation's website by the end of 2016's second quarter.

To move the port's stewardship to a "higher level," Seroka stressed that there is a need for ongoing expert advice and guidance for the port's environmental strategy.

"In the end the emissions inventories levels are very encouraging, but I attest to you that there is much more work to be done," concluded Seroka.

Last week, it was reported that documents released under the California Public Records Act showed only 53 percent of ships plugged into shore power at the TraPac terminal, falling short of the 80 percent requirement.