Posted on July 5, 2023
Officials from the ports of Los Angeles and Nagoya, Japan, Thursday signed a new agreement to broaden cooperation on key sustainability and operational efficiency initiatives.
“Today marks another major milestone in the longstanding partnership between the ports of Los Angeles and Nagoya,” Gene Seroka, Port L.A. CEO, said in a statement. “This agreement is a testament to the success that can be achieved when ports commit to work together, share ideas and advance mutual priorities.”
The new three-year memorandum of understanding involves sharing best practices and exchanging information on issues of operational efficiencies, such as the development, deployment and promotion of port community systems for end-to-end supply chain information sharing.
Under the agreement, both ports will continue to collaborate on the development and testing of zero-emission vehicles and equipment; environmental initiatives focused on terminal operations, ships in port and drayage trucks; and on energy use and alternative energy sources.
Both ports agreed to the formation of a new Green Shipping Corridor in the coming years, guided by a port decarbonization plan. This project aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from cargo movement between Nagoya and Los Angeles.
It will also encourage the use and promotion of low and zero-carbon ships and fuels.
“This agreement paves the way to advance environmental sustainability and operational efficiencies at both of our ports,” Yuji Kamata, executive vice president of the Nagoya Port Authority, said in a statement.
“We look forward to further cooperation with the Port of Los Angeles so that both ports can further prosper as we move toward a new era of achieving carbon neutrality.”
Cooperation between Los Angeles and Nagoya dates back to 1959, when the two cities established a Sister City Affiliation as part of President Dwight Eisenhower’s Citizen’s International Exchange Program.
Over the decades, the two ports’ relationship has been celebrated by numerous visits, exchange programs, meetings and agreements on operational and environmental cooperation.
