In a new “green port” collaboration, the Port of Long Beach and China Merchants Holdings International (CMHI), one of the world’s largest operators of seaport terminals, have signed a comprehensive environmental exchange agreement to further “green” technologies and practices on both sides of the Pacific Ocean.
“This agreement recognizes that we are not only partners in trade, but partners in ideas and solutions that safeguard our environment and ensure a sustainable future for our seaports,” said Nick Sramek, Port of Long Beach Board of Harbor Commissioners President, who signed the accord in Qingdao while on a trade mission with other Port officials. “We are grateful and honored to have a major player like China Merchants as a partner in our environmental efforts.”
The agreement was signed Thursday, November 12. It is the fourth such agreement the Port of Long Beach has signed with partners around the world in an effort to globalize cutting edge environmental technology and policies. The Port has green accords with the Port of Rotterdam, Yantian International Container Terminals in China and a group of ports in Mexico.
The Port of Long Beach has pioneered environmental stewardship with its landmark Green Port Policy, Clean Air Action Plan and innovative initiatives such as the Green Flag and Clean Trucks programs. Long Beach is one of the world’s busiest seaports, moving 6.5 million twenty-foot-equivalent container units (TEUs) in 2008.
China Merchants Holdings International is the largest public port operator in China, with a nationwide port network that includes coastal hub ports in Hong Kong, Shenzhen, Ningbo, Shanghai, Qingdao, Tianjin???Xiamen Bay and Zhanjiang. In 2008, CMHI-invested terminals handled 50.48 million Twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs), which accounted for 35% of China’s total container throughput.
“Stepping into a new phase of development, this agreement signifies that CMHI is determined to build a sustainable company and environment through our strategic green port policies,” said Liu Yunshu, Executive Director cum Deputy General Manager of CMHI. “It is also our honor to have Port of Long Beach as a partner to advance a dialogue on green port initiatives and practices.”
The Memorandum of Understanding signed by the Port of Long Beach and China Merchants means the two entities will collaborate on environmental issues such as marine wildlife, air quality, soils and sediments, water quality, sustainability and community engagement. The accord covers the exchange of technical information on improving air quality, the establishment of joint delegations to study port emissions and pollutants, as well as the ongoing development of control measures and best practices surrounding port and urban sustainability policies.
The Port of Long Beach trade delegation included Sramek, Commissioner Susan E. Anderson Wise, Executive Director Richard D. Steinke and Managing Director of Trade Relations and Port Operations Alex Cherin. Liu Yunshu, Executive Director cum Deputy General Manager of CMHI signed for and on behalf of CMHI.
