LOS ANGELES (KNX) — A new queueing system at the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach will require ships to anchor and wait 150 miles off the California coast, rather than clogging up its shoreline. It's a measure aimed at reducing port congestion and pollution from idling cargo vessels.
Shipping pollution has become a significant issue for neighborhoods abutting the ports. Last month, residents of Long Beach told KNX 1070 air quality had substantially worsened due to 24/7 port operations to remedy nationwide supply chain issues.
Developed by the Pacific Maritime Association, the Pacific Merchant Shippping Association, and the Marine Exchange of Southern California, and approved by both ports, the new system was announced Thursday. It will take effect beginning Nov. 16, but will not apply to ships currently in the arrival queue.
Ships will be assigned a place in the queue based on when they departed their last port of call.
"Today's announcement will improve air quality and improve maritime safety on the Southern California coastline," Port of Los Angeles spokesperson Phillip Sanfield said in a written statement on Thursday.
It could still take four to six weeks to get down to optimal levels of ships at anchor, according to port administrators.
Related
