The 70-year-old Cabrillo Marine Aquarium of San Pedro this month named APL winner of its prestigious John M. Olguin Marine Environment Award. The selection was made to recognize a series of APL clean air initiatives including:
- A partnership with the Environmental Protection Agency, California air quality districts and the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach to test fuel emulsification aboard the container vessel APL Singapore. The innovative process injects water into ship fuel to reduce harmful emissions;
- A test of new valve and lubrication technology that improves combustion, reduces oil consumption and further cuts emissions; and
- Conversion to cleaner-burning, low-sulfur fuel on all 23 APL vessels calling California ports.
'As the world's eighth-largest container carrier, APL sees its important role in protecting our air quality,' said the Aquarium in announcing its award. 'APL has proved a friend to the environment while providing shipping services vital to the economy.'
The aquarium also honored Dr. Geraldine Knatz, Executive Director of the Port of Los Angeles, with its Leadership Award for pursuing the twin goals of trade growth and environmental protection in Southern California. Dr. Knatz took part in the 2006 announcement of APL's 18-month fuel emulsification test.
'We're very pleased to be recognized for innovation in the pursuit of cleaner air, and honored to be considered in the same company as Geraldine Knatz,' said John Bowe, President of the Americas for APL. 'But our work is not done. We've got to keep looking for processes and technology that will lessen the impact of goods movement on our environment.'
Bowe and Dr. Knatz will receive their awards at the Cabrillo Marine Aquarium's Grand Grunion Gala black-tie fund-raiser May 5 in San Pedro. Operated by the city of Los Angeles, the Cabrillo Marine Aquarium has been recognized as one of the finest teaching aquariums in the world.
