We are pleased to announce that Almi Tankers has been granted the Green Flag environmental achievement award by the Port of Long Beach, due to our fleet’s excellent performance and extraordinary compliance with their Green Flag Programme. The programme urges vessels to slow down to 12 knots or less within a certain range of the port, to reduce carbon dioxide (CO2), nitrogen oxide (NOx), and sulfur oxide (SOx) emissions in coastal areas. The award is being granted to operators who called the Port of Long Beach in 2013 and demonstrated that 90% or more of their vessels’ trips complied with the voluntary Green Flag Vessel Speed Reduction Programme. We would like to congratulate everyone involved for their effort and contribution towards environmental excellence.
More on the Green Flag Incentive Programme
The Port’s Green Flag Programme is a voluntary vessel speed reduction programme that rewards vessel operators for slowing down to 12 knots or less within 40 nautical miles (nm) of Point Fermin (near the entrance to the Harbour). Because the ships emit less when they travel more slowly, the programme has been highly successful in reducing smog-forming emissions and diesel particulates from ships. In 2009, more than 90 percent of vessels participated in the programme, slowing their ships in the 20 nm zone, while more than 70 percent slowed down within the 40 nm zone.
In return for their participation — at least 90 percent of the time in a calendar year — the vessel operators can earn dockage rate reductions, as well as help improve air quality in the greater Long Beach area.
Vessels that dock at the Port of Long Beach can also earn the coveted Green Flag environ¬mental achievement award for extraordinary compliance with the programme within a 12-month period.
The speed of every vessel in the speed reduction zone is measured and recorded by the Marine Exchange of Southern California. The programme prevents more than 1,000 tons a year of air pollution. For more information, visit the Port of Long Beach website.