OOCL voluntarily switches to cleaner trucks in Long Beach

Orient Overseas Container Line Ltd.(OOCL) has voluntarily stopped the use of cargo trucks built before 1990 to comply early with the ports’ upcoming ban on old, dirty diesel trucks.

OOCL, which regularly uses Long Beach Container Terminal facilities and other Port of Long Beach shipping terminals, stopped using the pre-1990 trucks for all port moves between Southern California terminals and off-dock rail ramps effective January 1, 2008.

“OOCL is fully committed to reducing its air emissions as part of our environmental protection campaign,” said Peter Leng, President of OOCL (USA). “We welcome the opportunity to work together with the Port of Long Beach on this program, which will have long-term benefits for the environment and the community in Southern California.”

In November, the ports of Long Beach and Los Angeles each approved a Clean Trucks Program to replace or retrofit nearly 17,000 trucks that serve the two ports.

As of October 1, 2008, trucks built in 1989 or earlier will not be allowed to enter shipping terminals at the ports of Long Beach and Los Angeles. By Jan. 1, 2012, all drayage trucks serving the ports must meet the stringent 2007 federal emissions limits.

The program will cut drayage truck emissions by 80 percent in five years.

“Once again, OOCL has shown its strong commitment to the environment,” said Port of Long Beach Executive Director Richard D. Steinke. “We commend our partner, OOCL, for taking a leadership role to help ensure the success of the Clean Trucks Program.”

OOCL has a record of outstanding compliance with environmental programs.

OOCL was the top ocean carrier in the Port of Long Beach’s “Green Flag” program in 2006, with 100 percent compliance, the highest of the port’s major container lines. The Green Flag program asks vessel operators to slow down their speeds within 20 miles of Long Beach Harbor to improve air quality.