Port of Long Beach’s decarbonisation plans boosted by Middle East situation

According to published reports, the New Corolla vessel carrying 2 million barrels of crude oil from the Port of Basra in Iraq was the last California-bound oil tanker to leave the Persian Gulf before hostilities with Iran broke out in late February.

“This oil tanker signals how the conflict in Iran is reshaping shipping routes and raising the cost of gas and virtually everything consumers buy,” said Port of Long Beach CEO Dr. Noel Hacegaba. “With about 20% of our oil coming from the Middle East, we are closely monitoring impacts on California’s oil supply.

“Rising fuel costs are strengthening the case for energy resilience and independence,” he added. “The Port of Long Beach is acting now by investing in zero-emissions equipment, clean shipping corridors and renewable energy sources as we build the Port of the Future.”

At end-April, a delegation from the Port of Long Beach visited the Port of Valencia, Spain to identify ways the two entities can collaborate and advance shared goals in sustainability, decarbonisation and the development of green corridors.

During the working meeting, both parties discussed the importance of strategic partnerships to facilitate exchanges of information and technology related to cleaner operations, as well as a mutual desire to formalise a green partnership.

A green corridor agreement with the Port of Valencia would add to the list of other global partnerships the Port of Long Beach has struck to advance environmental objectives, with MOUs signed with representatives in Singapore, Kobe, Shenzhen and elsewhere.