Taiwan’s Evergreen Marine Corp. Ltd. and Yang Ming Marine Transport Corp. were recently honored in California for their contributions to protecting the environment and marine ecology of the Santa Barbara Channel region.
The two local firms, alongside eight other international shipping companies, were recognized during the Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary Advisory Council meeting Jan. 23 in Santa Barbara for taking part in a vessel speed reduction program aimed at protecting blue whales and the blue skies of southern California.
During the program’s implementation from July 1 to Nov. 15, 2016, which coincided with the breeding and migration season of several species of whale, participating vessels voluntarily reduced their speeds to 12 knots or less while sailing within 95 nautical miles of the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach.
“The 2016 program was an overwhelming success, demonstrating the real potential of this kind of program to both improve air quality and reduce mortality from ship strikes,” CINMS Superintendent Chris Mobley said. “We applaud the collaboration of the shipping industry and our [project] partners.”
“Evergreen Line is committed to safeguarding the environment of both the marine ecosystems and port communities within which it operates,” the company said in a statement released Feb. 6.
“In addition to adopting advanced shipbuilding technologies to create an eco-friendly fleet, we have also collaborated with government agencies and research institutions over the years in various environmental protection programs,” the company said, adding that it will continue to take part in similar initiatives to promote sustainability.
The program was jointly organized by the Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary under the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, National Marine Sanctuary Foundation and Santa Barbara County Air Pollution Control District, among other U.S. organizations.
Over the course of the project, approximately 27 tons of nitrogen oxide emissions were reduced along with more than 1,000 metric tons of greenhouse gases, according to the organizers. In addition, the combined efforts of the shipping firms helped boost the populations of blue, humpback and fin whales in the region, they added.
Taipei City-based Evergreen Marine was also honored last September by the Port Authority of Los Angeles for taking part in a similar program in 2015. (SFC-E)
Write to Taiwan Today at ttonline@mofa.gov.tw