Pacific shipping corridor takes shape

Counting the ports of Los Angeles, Long Beach and Shanghai, carriers including CMA CGM, COSCO Shipping Lines Co., Maersk and ONE, the China Classification Society and the Maritime Technology Cooperation Centre of Asia among its members, the Green Shipping Corridor Partnership aims to deploy greener ships on the Pacific crossing by 2025 and demonstrate the world’s first zero lifecycle net-zero container ship by 2030.

Mario Cordero, chief executive of the Port of Long Beach said the partnership will drive emissions reductions across the world’s largest ocean. “It will lead to greener practices from supply chain participants along these vital trade routes,” he said.

“The new and innovative vessel technologies, increased availability of sustainable fuels and better practices created through this green corridor will also impact society’s transition to a cleaner future far beyond the areas served by our ports,” he added.

The plan is said to be the first of its kind and was developed with support from C40 Cities as part of its effort to reduce carbon emissions from the largest cities in the world.

The partners have agreed to take steps to reduce carbon emissions and other pollutants impacting air quality, by, for example, the use of shore power and cleaner maritime fuels. They will also develop metrics to track the progress of decarbonisation.

“This trans-Pacific green corridor will be a model for the global cooperation needed to accelerate change throughout the maritime industry,” said Gene Seroka, executive director of the Port of Los Angeles.

“Reducing emissions in this corridor will yield significant reductions. This corridor will help reduce mid-ocean emissions while continuing the work we have done to cut emissions within our ports,” he added.