PORT OF LOS ANGELES REPORTS LOWEST EMISSIONS PER CONTAINER ON RECORD

Oct. 22, 2026 - The Port of Los Angeles continued to make clean air gains in 2025, recording its lowest emissions per container on record, according to the Port's newly released Inventory of Air Emissions. The findings mark another milestone in the Port's clean air efforts, with emissions declining from the previous year and continuing a two-decade trend of significant reductions.

"The Port of Los Angeles continues to demonstrate that economic growth and environmental progress can go hand in hand," said Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass. "These results reflect years of investment, collaboration, and our shared commitment to building a stronger, more sustainable future for our Harbor communities while ensuring Los Angeles remains a competitive hub for global commerce."

Since 2005, the Port has reduced diesel particulate matter emissions (DPM) by 90%, nitrogen oxides (NOx) by 72%, sulfur oxides (SOx) by 98% and greenhouse gases (GHGs) by 16%, while container volumes have increased 37%.

The latest inventory also shows continued progress since 2017 when the Port of Los Angeles and neighboring Port of Long Beach updated their landmark Clean Air Action Plan to accelerate the transition toward zero-emissions operations. Emissions of DPM, NOx and SOx and GHGs are down 15%, 38%, 28% and 9% since then.

In 2025 alone, emissions of DPM fell 2%, NOx declined 4%, SOx dropped 5% and GHGs decreased 3% compared with 2024. The reduction in NOx marked the lowest annual total for that pollutant since the Port began tracking emissions in 2005.

"As we mark 20 years of the Clean Air Action Plan, these results are a powerful reminder of how far we've come," said Los Angeles Harbor Commission President Beatrice Hsu. "These latest reductions are a tremendous achievement, but we know there's more work to do. We're committed to building on this progress as we move toward a zero-emissions future."

"These results demonstrate that we can move high cargo volumes while continuing to reduce emissions," said Port of Los Angeles Executive Director Gene Seroka. "This progress reflects years of investment, innovation and collaboration across our maritime industry. We're proud of what we've accomplished together, and we're focused on accelerating the transition to cleaner, more sustainable port operations."

Each year, the Port inventories air pollution from ships, trucks, trains, harbor craft and cargo-handling equipment to measure the results of its clean air strategies. The new report is based on trade activity during calendar year 2025.

In 2025, the Port handled nearly 10.2 million Twenty-Foot Equivalent Units (TEUs), the standard measurement for international shipping containers. Highlights of the new inventory include:

• Trucks: Newer, cleaner trucks continue to replace their diesel counterparts, resulting in annual clean air gains. This includes a substantial decrease in DPM and NOx - down 16% and 25% - in a single year. All pollutants are down since 2005 with dramatic declines of DPM, NOx and SOx - down 98%, 94% and 97% respectively.

Regional, state and federal air regulatory agencies review the inventory each year before the Port releases its findings. Their review helps verify the findings.

The Port continues to advance clean air initiatives through investments in technology, operational improvements, incentives, grants and partnerships. These efforts include developing green shipping corridors with major ports in Asia, as well as a landmark Cooperative Agreement between the San Pedro Bay ports and the South Coast Air Quality Management District to support cleaner ships and trucks and expand charging and fueling infrastructure throughout the region.