A major US West Coast port is stepping up its campaign to cut bunker consumption and reduce harmful emissions. The Los Angeles Harbor Commission has approved an expansion of the port’s Vessel Speed Reduction Incentive Program (VSRIP) The voluntary scheme was launched in 2001. It called for vessels to reduce speed to 12-knots within 20 nautical miles of Point Fermin.
In June last year, the port started rewarding vessel operators whose fleets achieved 90% compliance to the voluntary limit. The reward was a 15% discount on first-day dockage fees.
The latest expansion of the scheme gives vessel operators the option of slowing down within 40 nautical miles of Point Fermin.
Operators achieving 90% compliance at the 40-mile range will be given a 30% discount on first-day dockage fees
“We expect the air quality benefit to more than double compared to the current program,” said Port Executive Director Geraldine Knatz. “We have already eliminated hundreds of tons of pollutants and diesel particulates. Together with our shipping partners, we can do even better with these new incentives.”
The Port of Los Angeles is the leading seaport in North America in terms of shipping container volumes.
In June last year, the port started rewarding vessel operators whose fleets achieved 90% compliance to the voluntary limit. The reward was a 15% discount on first-day dockage fees.
The latest expansion of the scheme gives vessel operators the option of slowing down within 40 nautical miles of Point Fermin.
Operators achieving 90% compliance at the 40-mile range will be given a 30% discount on first-day dockage fees
“We expect the air quality benefit to more than double compared to the current program,” said Port Executive Director Geraldine Knatz. “We have already eliminated hundreds of tons of pollutants and diesel particulates. Together with our shipping partners, we can do even better with these new incentives.”
The Port of Los Angeles is the leading seaport in North America in terms of shipping container volumes.