Ports of Los Angeles and Shanghai Share Common Environmental Goal to Reduce Air Emissions; Relationship with Pacific Rim Port Demonstrates Partnering is Vital to Cleaner Air Worldwide.

SAN PEDRO, Calif. -- As part of a mutual accord to study global air quality, the ports of Los Angeles and Shanghai executed two reciprocal environmental agreements: a Friendship Port Agreement and Letter of Intent for Collaboration on Air Quality Issues.

Citing the progression of shared environmental programs and mutually beneficial maritime business, the Friendship Port Agreement also calls for environmental betterments toward commercial waterfront development. The Letter of Intent explores the technical side of urban air pollution management, solidifying the ports' existing Green Port Memorandum of Understanding, dated November 25, 2002.

Both documents were signed by Bruce E. Seaton, Interim Executive Director of the Port of Los Angeles, and Xu Peixing, Director-General of the Shanghai Municipal Port Administration Bureau.

The agreements were officiated during a trip to Shanghai last month. Accompanying Seaton on behalf of the Port of Los Angeles, was Assistant Director of Environmental Management Paul Johansen, who led the air quality staff delegation, along with representatives from Port environmental consultants, Starcrest Consulting Group and Tetra Tech Inc.

During the trip, representatives from both ports presented overviews on their respective port's environmental programs. The Port of Los Angeles' briefing centered on its Clean Air Program, with an emphasis on Alternative Maritime Power (AMP), ship-related emission reduction strategies and emissions inventory methods, while Port of Shanghai's focused on general environmental initiatives, including emission testing and air monitoring. Key to the success of each port program is the participation from regulatory agencies, including the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, U.S. Department of Transportation Maritime Administration (MARAD) and Shanghai Environmental Protection Bureau.

Future programs between the two ports were discussed, including a potential personnel exchange trip to cross train environmental staff members. Also proposed was the establishment of a Pacific Ports Air Quality Work Collaborative, chartered by the ports of Los Angeles and Shanghai, with participation from other major Asian ports. The new working group would take the lead on international air quality issues -- initially focusing on emission inventory methods, oceangoing vessel emissions and cleaner fuels.

To better determine the contribution of port-related emission sources, the ports of Los Angeles and Shanghai would collaborate to develop an Air Emissions Inventory Report for Shanghai, similar to the Port-wide Baseline Air Emissions Inventory released by the Port of Los Angeles in July 2005.

The Far East trip was made possible by a MARAD grant that provided $185,000 for a program facilitating the exchange of ideas on air quality technology between the ports of Los Angeles and Shanghai.

The Port of Los Angeles is America's premier port. As the leading container port in the nation and a critical hub in the international supply chain, the Port generates thousands of stable jobs and billions of dollars in annual wages and tax revenues. The Port of Los Angeles also places a high priority on responsible growth initiatives combined with high security, environmental stewardship and community outreach. The Port of Los Angeles is a proprietary, self-supported department of the City of Los Angeles. The Port of Los Angeles -- A cleaner port. A brighter future.