(Shenzhen, China, 22nd September 2024) A landmark memorandum of cooperation (Memorandum) for Green Maritime Economy around Pacific Rim was signed on 22nd September between Hutchison Ports YANTIAN (YANTIAN), the Harbor Department of the City of Long Beach (The Port of Long Beach), the South Coast Air Quality Management District of California (AQMD), the North American Representative Office of Shenzhen and Shenzhen Port Group Company Limited, and witnessed by Shenzhen Transport Bureau.

This cooperation aims to promote joint efforts towards developing a green maritime economy around the Pacific Rim, focusing on the deployment of cutting-edge technologies to reduce emissions, speed up decarbonisation, and improve energy efficiency while fostering technical exchanges and industry best practices. 

Speaking at the memorandum signing ceremony in Shenzhen, Lawrence Shum, Managing Director of YANTIAN expressed gratitude to the representatives of the signing and witness parties. “The shipping industry is a cornerstone of global trade and economy. We recognise the importance of establishing partnerships and aligning our efforts towards common goals.” he said. “Through this Memorandum, we are committed to collaborating with our partners on technical exchanges, knowledge sharing, and project cooperation, positioning ourselves as ‘pioneers’ in the green ocean economy of the Pacific Rim.”

“One of the most important parts of strategic partnerships like this is the ability to target shipborne emissions, a source we have little power to regulate as a local port authority,” said Port of Long Beach CEO Mario Cordero. “We see the potential for this agreement to make fleets cleaner sooner. The technologies and practices we develop through this agreement also have the potential to have a positive impact on the environment and economies far beyond our two ports and cities.”

“The Port of Long Beach is honored and proud to be part of a collective effort to operate more sustainably and develop the green economy, all while protecting public health,” said Long Beach Harbor Commission President Bonnie Lowenthal. “This type of international collaboration is critical to our shared goal of decarbonizing shipping in the decades ahead.”

 “Working together with our port partners, we have seen firsthand how we can accelerate the reduction of harmful emissions in nearby communities,” said South Coast AQMD Executive Officer Wayne Nastri. “The South Coast AQMD is excited to work with all our partners in this agreement to continue developing innovative strategies to reduce emissions and improve public health.”

“Building on the signing of this Memorandum, we will drive initiatives in bunkering new fuel, such as green methanol, and the development of zero-carbon ro-ro terminals.” said Shenzhen Port Group Chairman Zhaoyang Hu. “By enhancing communication and information sharing between the two ports, we aim to improve cargo transportation efficiency and establish more advanced green shipping corridors. These efforts will play a key role in achieving global Dual-Carbon Goal and fostering deeper economic and trade cooperation between China and the US.”

Hutchison Ports YANTIAN, one of the world’s largest container terminals located in Shenzhen, serving one third of the import and export containers of Guangdong province, and 25% of the containers carrying China export cargoes to the U.S.. YANTIAN is dedicated to adopting environmentally friendly technologies such as shore power supply, electric rubber-tyred gantry cranes, LNG-driven tractors, and electric vehicles, as well as the establishment of rail-sea intermodal routes. In the past six years, YANTIAN has been named “Best Green Container Terminal” four times. It is a recognition of YANTIAN's unwavering commitment to providing quality, efficient and environmentally friendly services.

“At YANTIAN, our core values are deeply rooted in the principles of environmental stewardship and sustainable development. Throughout the past decade from 2014 to 2023, we had made significant strides in reducing our carbon footprint, achieving a remarkable 33% decrease in carbon emissions per container." Shum emphasised. "Every step we take demonstrates our determination to take the lead in creating a more sustainable future for generations to come.”