Orient Overseas Container Line (OOCL) has donated US$40,000 to the California-based Long Beach Education Foundation, the Long Beach Unified School District's fundraising arm. The money was designated for two outstanding schools: $20,000 for the Elizabeth Hudson K-8 Academy's middle school level computer laboratory, and $20,000 for the Poly High School Pac Rim language laboratory.

The donation was presented at the Long Beach Unified School District Board of Education meeting on January 22, 2008 by Anthony Otto, vice president of OOCL's wholly-owned subsidiary, Long Beach Container Terminals Inc (LBCTI). The donation was accepted by Dr. Henry Fung, President of Long Beach Education Foundation and Judy Seal, the executive director of the Foundation.

'OOCL is dedicated to helping provide education to the young people in the communities where we live and work. The programs designated to receive our donations are preparing students for the global marketplace. These schools have a vision for their students' futures, and we support programs that open the doors of opportunity to all students,' said Anthony Otto. 'The Pac Rim language lab will offer students cutting edge second language instruction. Hudson K-8 Academy is an outstanding example of an inner-city school providing first-class preparation for college and beyond. OOCL and LBCTI are pleased to be joining the Hudson Hawks by providing middle school students with a new computer lab.'

'The Long Beach Education Foundation is honored to accept this donation from Long Beach Container Terminals Inc. LBCTI is an outstanding example of how a Port customer can change the lives of young people growing up in a Port town,' said Dr. Fung. 'The schools benefiting from this donation are committed to excellence ' a Long Beach Unified School District trademark. No doubt, some of the students served in these programs will one day work in Port related careers. We are grateful to LBCTI.'

The money comes from rebates given to OOCL on dockage fees for compliance with a Port of Long Beach environmental program, the 'Green Flag Program'. The voluntary program provides rebates for vessels and carriers that reduce their speed as they enter the Long Beach Harbor, thus reducing emissions. OOCL maintained a 100 percent compliance with the program in 2006.