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Business Editors |
Evergreen Awarded First Ever Environmental Excellence Award by Port of Los Angeles |
Evergreens Participation Cited as 'Outstanding' |
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA, Sep. 4 -/E-Wire/Business Wire/-- Worldwide ocean carrier Evergreen has been awarded the first ever recognition for Environmental Excellence by the Port of Los Angeles.
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The award demonstrates the Evergreen's position as a catalyst among ocean carriers in achieving quality standards to conform with environmental issues and agencies. The award was given to Evergreen America Corp. which is North America Agents for Evergreen.
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"As we continue to meet and discuss the need for environmental reform with the Port's clients, in conjunction with Mayor Jim Hahn's policy of no-net increase in air emissions, we are pleased with the cooperation of Evergreen and recognize their efforts with this award," stated Nicholas Tonsich, Los Angeles Harbor Commission President.
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"Evergreen was easily the most compliant ocean carrier in this voluntary program," said T. L. Garrett, Marine Environmental Supervisor for the Port of Los Angeles. "We monitored the data collected for over a year and there was no question that Evergreen's participation was nothing short of outstanding."
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Evergreen Marine Corporation (Taiwan) Ltd. President Arnold Wang noted: "Evergreen vessels throughout the world have been sensitive to a company-wide policy of compliance with environmental issues and meeting recommended standards--whether mandated by law or voluntary. Being the recipients of this award is one of our proudest moments."
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The award acknowledges:
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-- Evergreen is the most compliant company with the Port's voluntary Vessel Speed Reduction Program, which requests that ships reduce their speed once inside Port waters. This program reduces tons of smog-forming emissions each day.
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-- Evergreen was the first terminal operator in the United States to use alternative fuel in their terminal operations equipment, thus reducing air emissions.
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-- Evergreen has voluntarily signed the Port's Letter of Intent to use low sulphur fuels in the electrical generators on-board their vessels while berthing at the Port of Los Angeles. Cleaner fuels mean fewer emissions into the air.
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-- Evergreen has implemented an aggressive ballast water exchange program and has achieved 100 percent compliance with that program for the past three months.
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The most beneficial part of the program a Voluntary Commercial Cargo Ship Speed Reduction Program, is also the most expensive for the carriers. "Reducing speed adds time to the schedule and time is money," Mr. Garrett noted. Nevertheless, since May 2001 the speed reduction program has been in effect for ships entering and leaving the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach. The purpose of the Speed Reduction Measure is to reduce air pollution from ships in the South Coast Air Basin. It is expected that full implementation of this measure will result in the reduction of over three tons of smog pollutants from ships per day.
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The two ports were supported by the Steamship Association of Southern California, the Pacific Merchant Shipping Association, the Marine Exchange of Los Angeles and Long Beach Harbor, Inc., the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the California Air Resources Board, and the South Coast Air Quality Management district. All had agreed to implement an "Air Quality Compliance Zone" with a 12-knot speed restriction beginning 20-nautical miles (nm) from Point Fermin to the boundaries of the existing mandatory Precautionary Area.
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"Evergreen never hesitated in honoring this request immediately," said Mr. Garrett. "There's is a model for other carriers to follow. With multi-calls in the Port of Los Angeles each week, it required a great deal of realigning scheduling, but they never complained."
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Evergreen's Mr. Wang said: "Our special thanks go to the commitment of all Evergreen personnel, all our crew members, shore side colleagues in charge, and outstanding leadership in this regard. As this Award is initiated by the #1 port in the U.S. and which also serves as the first calling port of various trade lanes for many carriers, we view that this honor should be highly respected and recognized." He added: "Our theme is 'Evergreen achieves the Environmental Excellence First Port Every Port'. In addition, our Quality Management mandate has instilled a work ethic in our worldwide staff of do it right the first time, every time."
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Mayor Hahn has commented: "Our approach to improving harbor area air quality issues continues to be a multi-phased campaign to use new technologies and operational efficiencies to make large inroads into emission reductions for the benefit of the community."
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