The Port of Los Angeles on Oct. 4 reported that air pollution from its operations is at the lowest level since 2005, when the Port began tracking emissions from all sources moving cargo through its gateway.
The Port released its 2023 Inventory of Air Emissions (download below) that it said “shows increased turnover of trucks and locomotives to newer, cleaner models; wider use of renewable diesel to power terminal equipment, locomotives and harbor craft; and ongoing efficiency measures resulting in more fluid cargo operations are driving the latest clean air gains at the nation’s busiest container port,” which handles 40% of all U.S. imports.
The 2023 findings, vetted by regional, state and federal air regulatory agencies, show diesel particulate matter (DPM), nitrogen oxides (NOx) and sulfur oxides (SOx) from ships, trains (the Port is served by Union Pacific/UP, BNSF and the Pacific Harbor Line/PHL, an Anacostia Rail Holdings subsidiary), trucks, harbor craft, and off-road terminal equipment are down 91%, 74% and 98% respectively since 2005 (see Table ES.5 below). Since last year’s inventory, DPM, NOx, and SOx fell 24%, 29%, and 40% (see Table ES.3 below).
For locomotives specifically, emissions in 2023 are slightly lower compared with 2022, except for SOx emissions (see Table ES.4 below). Switchers used renewable diesel for the first time in 2023, according to the Port of Los Angeles. 2023 emissions for locomotives are also lower compared with 2005 “due to decreases in fleet-wide emissions from linehaul locomotives meeting the terms of the memorandum of understanding (MOU) with CARB [California Air Resources Board], use of renewable diesel, and the replacement of older switching locomotives with new low-emission and ultra-low emission switchers,” the Port reported (scroll up to see Table ES.5 above).
Table 9.20 (below) shows the throughput and locomotive activity for 2023, the previous year, 2017 and 2005:
Table 9.21 (below) shows the locomotive emission estimates for calendar years 2023, 2022, 2017, and 2005:
According to the Port of Los Angeles, compared with 2005, “the decrease in emissions [for locomotives] were due to PHL’s and UP’s fleet turnover to ultra-low emissions switching locomotives, the use of ULSD, the Class I railroads’ compliance with the MOU, and introduction of newer locomotives.” It added that “CO2e emissions have been reduced since 2005 despite the increase in rail throughput through the freight movement efficiency improvements implemented by the railroads and terminals.” The decreases in emissions from 2022 to 2023 and from 2017 to 2023, the Port said, “are due to a decrease in the throughput of the Intermodal Container Transfer Facility (ICTF) and the use of renewable diesel by PHL switching locomotives for the first time in 2023.”
Table 9.22 (below) shows the locomotive emissions efficiency changes in 2023 from the previous year, 2017, and 2005, according to the Port of Los Angeles, which noted that a positive percentage for the emissions efficiency comparison indicates an improvement in efficiency. For locomotive emissions efficiency, the on-dock lifts were used as opposed to TEU throughput, the Port said, since this is a more direct way to measure efficiency for the locomotives. For the CAAP progress (2023 vs. 2005) and comparison to 2017 (2023 vs. 2017), emissions efficiencies have improved for all pollutants.
In 2023, container volume at the Port was down 13% from 2022 (see Table ES.1 below). “To ensure the Port’s clean air gains are not tied to cargo fluctuations, the Port also calculates the reduction in tons of emissions by twenty-foot equivalent unit (TEU), the standard unit of measure for international shipping containers,” according to the Port of Los Angeles. “Based on tons of emissions per 10,000 TEUs, the 2023 results not only substantiate the Port’s clean air gains but show slightly better results. Emissions of DPM, NOx and SOx [are] down 92%, 77% and 99% respectively since 2005” (see Table ES.7 below).
The 2023 Inventory of Air Emissions report also shows 2023 was the Port’s best year for reducing greenhouse gases (GHGs), which are down 24%, according to the Port of Los Angeles, which noted that on a per TEU basis, emissions of GHGs were down 34%, the largest reduction to date.
According to the Port, a multitude of strategies are being pursued to help eliminate all remaining air pollution. Its goals include reducing GHG emissions 40% below 1990 levels by 2030 and 80% below 1990 levels by 2050, in accordance with state targets.
“To get there, the Port’s local measures include transitioning all cargo handling equipment to zero emissions by 2030 and all drayage trucks calling at marine terminals to zero emissions by 2035,” the Port reported. “Through its Clean Truck Program, the Port continues to offer incentives to put more zero-emissions trucks in service and invest in charging and clean fueling infrastructure to speed up the turnover. The Port also leads or participates in large-scale demonstrations with terminal operators, trucking companies and shipping lines to develop and deploy more zero-emissions solutions. The Port works closely with them, vehicle manufacturers and other parties to test battery-electric and hydrogen-powered vehicles and equipment in demanding, real-world conditions.”
Additionally, the Port said it collaborates with its trans-Pacific partners—such as ocean carriers; government agencies; some of the world’s busiest ports in Asia, including the ports of Shanghai and Singapore; and the Port of Long Beach—on international initiatives to decarbonize vessels and establish “green” shipping corridors to reduce emissions.
“The Port has invested hundreds of millions of dollars to advance clean, efficient and sustainable practices and solutions in all facets of its operations and across the supply chain,” it said. “The Port also routinely partners with the public agencies and the private sector to leverage all available resources needed to accelerate progress. Examples include the Port’s own Technology Advancement Program, as well as its participation in the Alliance for Renewable Clean Energy Systems (ARCHES), a statewide consortium awarded $1.2 billion in federal funding to develop a robust hydrogen market in California.”
The Port’s original goals and strategies were established in the 2006 San Pedro Bay Ports Clean Air Action Plan (CAAP). The document’s 2010 and 2017 updates incorporated additional measures and targets for eliminating harmful air emissions from all port-related sources, according to the Port of Los Angeles. The 2010 update included 2023 goals for reducing emissions of DPM by 77%, NOx by 59%, and SOx by 93%, which the Port said it has “consistently met and exceeded in recent years. The target year aligns with federal clean air goals for the region.”
For the first time, the Port said, the annual inventory also shows clean air progress made since the most recent CAAP update. From 2017 to 2023, Port measures have cut DPM, NOx, SOx, and GHG emissions 18%, 34%, 28%, and 14% respectively, it noted.
“To put this data in perspective, we are down to the last 9% of diesel particulate matter and the last 2% of sulfur oxides from anything with an engine that moves cargo through our gateway,” Port of Los Angeles Executive Director Gene Seroka said. “While what remains of these and other pollutants are the toughest to eliminate, we continue to partner with all our stakeholders to drive emissions down to zero.”
