PORTS AROUND THE WORLD
Communities adjacent to seaports tend to face environmental burdens exacerbated by seaport operations. Most notably, diesel particulate matter created by the engines of heavy duty machinery and trucks burning fuel tends to be the top air pollutant affecting neighborhoods near seaports. Ports all around the world face this issue. See what can be learned from these ports in terms of community impact, spatial arrangement, and sustainability goals.
Port of Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA
Background:
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Port of Los Angeles is the largest and busiest port in the United States based on its annual container traffic
Combatting Air Pollution:
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San Pedro and Wilmington, the communities surrounding the port, have played a crucial role in improving air quality by encouraging the passage of the port's Clean Air Action Plan
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THE Impact Project (community based research partnership group) Clean Trucks Program which has reduced diesel emissions by over 80% since 2008
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Port authority provides online resource guides and staffs community affairs advocates for the most burdened surrounding neighborhoods
Port of Durban
Durban, South Africa
Background:
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Largest and busiest port in sub-saharan Africa
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Fynnlands, the residential neighborhood that abuts port, is predominately white and middle class
Combatting Air Pollution:
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Shifting more cargo from road to rail to reduce congestion on the roads and reduce carbon emissions
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Vegetation corridor and rail between industrial and residential areas
Port of Rotterdam
Rotterdam, South Holland, Netherlands
Background:
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Large geographic scope
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Built through the common Dutch process of land dredging
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Suburban / rural upper middle class commuter residence
Combatting Air Pollution:
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20 percent reduction in CO2 emissions from port related functions from 2018 to 2019
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Functions are mostly separated by water; natural protection of the residential
Port of Shanghai
Shanghai, China
Background:
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This region is highly urban, and the population includes high income rates and housing prices
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Shipping-related pollution sources are very close to densely-populated areas
Combating Air Pollution:
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One of China's Emissions Control Areas (EMCs), which caps emissions for vessels that enter these areas
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Use and provide electric power and equipment
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Investment in rail connections to reduce the need for trucks
Port Botany
Sydney, Australia
Background:
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Governed by the New South Wales Port Authority, Port Botany serves the City of Sydney
Combatting Air Pollution:
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Focus on rail investment to expand container transport by train and reduce transportation by drayage trucks to cut down truck diesel emissions in the community
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Rezoning proximal port areas to further the development of buffer zones between the seaport and residential communities
*Container Throughput refers to the number of shipping containers that passed through the port in one year (empty or full)
**Twenty-Foot Equivalent Unit - Shipping containers come in different sizes. Seaports count containers based on this standardized unit in order to compare port operations around the world.
