Port of Los Angeles officials met virtually with officials from their sister port, Japan’s Port of Nagoya, to discuss collaborating on environmental and sustainability projects, officials said Tuesday.
“We’re very proud of our collaboration with the Port of Nagoya, particularly since advancing digital technology and fostering more sustainable, environmentally friendly operations is something that both of us greatly value,” Port Executive Director Gene Seroka said. “The cooperation facilitated by this agreement — a testament to our strong relationship spanning more than 60 years — has been extremely beneficial in advancing our mutual goals.”
The two ports signed a memorandum of understanding last March to establish formal cooperation and exchange information, including development and deployment of zero-emission vehicles and equipment and other activities involving science, industry and start-ups that could improve the ports’ efficiency and environmental priorities.
During the conference for the one-year anniversary of the memorandum of understanding, the Port of Los Angeles updated its sister port on the San Pedro Bay Ports Clean Air Action Plan, which calls for using 100% zero-emission trucks at the port by 2035.
Officials also discussed Wabtec’s Port Optimizer digital portal, Toyota’s Hydrogen Fuel Trucks Pilot Program, Toyota’s Utility Tractor Rig Terminal Tractor Production initiative, Mitsui Engineering and Shipping Company’s Hydrogen Rubber-Tired Gantry Zero Emissions Transtainer, Toyota Tsusho’s Hydrogen Top Handler and Fueller Truck Development, Choshu Industry’s Solar Hydrogen Intelligent Power Station, and Toyota’s Hyrdogen Utilization Study in Chubu.
“The Japanese government has designated the Port of Nagoya as a venue to host a Carbon Neutral Port Committee. We are committed to leading that effort to realize a decarbonized society and look forward to cooperation from the Port of Los Angeles,” said Gov. Hideaki Ohmura, Aichi Prefecture, and president of the Nagoya Port Authority. “We hope that our two ports will continue to prosper under this partnership.”
Los Angeles and Nagoya have been sister cities since the program was established in 1959 as part of President Dwight Eisenhower’s Citizens International Exchange Program. The program’s aim is to foster mutual understanding between people of different cities through cultural, education and people-to-people exchange activities.