The Port of Long Beach’s Green Flag Incentive Program is an innovative air quality initiative that provides incentives for ships to voluntarily slow down within 20 nautical miles of the harbor to decrease fuel consumption and reduce air pollution in communities surrounding the Port. The $2.2 million per year program, which began in January 2006, reduces air pollution through a creative partnership with the shipping industry.

The program incentives include reduced dockage rates and environmental recognition for vessel operators who voluntarily reduce speeds when arriving or departing from the Port. Ocean carriers who achieve 90 percent compliance in a calendar year are eligible for a 15 percent reduction in their dockage rates. Individual vessels earn a “Green Flag” award when they achieve 100 percent compliance with the program for an entire calendar year.

The goal of the Green Flag Incentive Program is to reduce air pollution in communities surrounding the Port of Long Beach.

In 2007, the program cut air pollution from ships at the Port by an estimated 678 tons of nitrogen oxides, 453 tons of sulfur oxides and 60 tons of diesel particulate matter. In addition, the program reduced greenhouse gases by more than 24,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent.