The Port of Long Beach’s CEO said the port is accomplishing environmental, operational and commercial goals set in 2005, and is now setting its sights on greater achievements in the years ahead.
During his annual State of the Port address January 16, CEO Mario Cordero said the port had a record-setting 2024, with 9.6 million cargo containers moved with zero disruptions or backlogs. Cordero also said Long Beach is making progress in transitioning operations to zero emissions, while marking dramatic air quality improvements and other environmental benefits throughout its 20 years as the Green Port.
“For those in 2005 who questioned our environmental resolve, the data shows otherwise. For those who said a Green Port wouldn’t be able to compete commercially, the facts show otherwise. And today, for those who still doubt us, we are proving you wrong every single day,” Cordero told more than 900 industry partners, community members and civic leaders gathered at the Long Beach Convention Center.
“We’ve achieved environmental progress and commercial success,” Cordero said. “I say let’s have more of both.”The Long Beach Harbor Commission adopted the Green Port Policy in January 2005 as a promise to reduce harmful impacts from port operations, and safeguard the health of people living in Long Beach and surrounding communities, protect wildlife and the natural habitat, and engage the community to ensure that the Port lives up to these commitments.
So far, diesel emissions are down 92%, nitrogen oxides by 71%, sulfur oxides by 98% and greenhouse gases by 17% since 2005. And, Cordero said, the Port isn’t finished.
“The Green Port Policy was the result of a grassroots movement at its very best,” said Long Beach Harbor Commission President Bonnie Lowenthal during her speech at the event. “It was and still is about improving quality of life and being responsive to the needs of our residents and neighboring communities.”
In terms of cargo volume, the Port ended 2024 with 9,649,724 twenty-foot equivalent units processed, up 20.3% from a year earlier and a 2.8% increase from the previous record of more than 9.3 million TEUs moved in 2021.
