The Port of Long Beach has joined the Shanghai-Los Angeles Green Shipping Corridor, a partnership of C40 Cities, ports, shipping companies and cargo owners convened to create a zero-emission trans-Pacific trade route, according to a press release by port authorities. on Thursday.

First announced in January by C40 Cities, the ports of Shanghai and Los Angeles and key maritime stakeholders, this Green Shipping Corridor will be a major step towards decarbonising shipping between the busiest ports in China and the United States. C40 Cities is a network of the world's leading cities working to deliver the urgent action needed to address the climate crisis and create a future where everyone, everywhere can thrive.

The partnership plans to work together to achieve these goals by developing a "Green Shipping Corridor Implementation Plan" by the end of 2022, which will include outcomes, goals, and interim milestones and roles for participants.

“This initiative builds on significant efforts in which our port participates, including the World Ports Climate Action Program, an international commitment to develop projects to tackle global warming and achieve the goals set out in the Paris Agreement said Mario Cordero, Executive Director of Port of Long Beach. "It also complements the Clean Air Action Plan and supports our shared goals to reduce carbon emissions and develop advanced technologies, especially for ships, which are our largest source of emissions."

“There is an urgent need to accelerate efforts to decarbonise the shipping sector if we are to limit global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius,” said C40 Director Mark Watts. “By convening a strong coalition with the San Pedro Bay Port Complex, the Port of Shanghai and key maritime industry stakeholders, we hope to be a key catalyst in decarbonising all types of supply chains around the world, while also create a replicable model for other port cities to follow."

“The Port of Long Beach has an arsenal of environmental initiatives with the ultimate goal of achieving zero-emission terminal operations by 2030 and trucking operations by 2035,” said Steven Neal, chairman of the Long Beach Harbor Commission. “By joining the Green Shipping Corridor, we are increasing our influence beyond our own city, aiming to decarbonise shipping activities and reinforcing our commitment to balancing economic activity with sustainability.”