On Thursday, the Port of Los Angeles announced it had entered into agreements with the Port of Tokyo and the Port of Yokohama to further collaborate on sustainability and environmental issues.
The agreements, signed during the 2023 California Japan Clean Energy Trade Mission, will build on the Port of Los Angeles’ global sustainability efforts.
“The MOUs signed this week between the Port of Los Angeles, the Port of Tokyo, and the Port of Yokohama epitomize the strong relationship between California and Japan and our shared commitment to tackling climate change,” said California Lieutenant Governor Eleni Kounalakis. “California and Japan’s port partnership is a world-leading collaboration and a critical step towards achieving zero greenhouse gas emissions.”
The MOUs call for the two Japanese ports to cooperate and share best practices with the Los Angeles port when it comes to environmental and sustainability initiatives, including the digitation of the supply chain for optimum efficiency. Both the Tokyo and Yokohama ports have also agreed with the Port of Los Angeles to reduce emissions along their respective trade routes and promote low-and zero-carbon ships and fuels, creating a Green Shipping Corridor (GSC) partnership in the coming year. Similar partnerships have already been established by the Port of Los Angeles with ports in Shanghai and Singapore.
The agreements also specify cooperation on testing and deployment of zero-emission vehicles, cargo handling equipment, and vessels; exploring energy use and alternative energy sources; and cooperating on pollution-reduction technology initiatives.
“Global cooperation is critical if we are to make meaningful progress toward a cleaner and more sustainable maritime industry,” Port of Los Angeles Executive Director Gene Seroka said. “The Port of Los Angeles is proud of the role it has played in advancing port-related environmental technologies and supply chain decarbonization solutions, but we can do so much more with ports and other international stakeholders working together. I’m thrilled to be in Japan, collaborating with our long-time partners at the ports of Tokyo and Yokohama. ”