Environment

Towards Clean Seas and Blue Skies

As a leader in global shipping, APL understands the impact of containerized trade on air and water quality. That’s why our parent company, the NOL Group, has adopted an Environment Policy committing the company to sound environmental stewardship in all our activities.

With steady growth in the global economy, trade demands are increasing. APL plans to grow to meet the demands. We understand, however, that our ability to grow is linked to our success in helping to mitigate the environmental effects of trade growth. To that end we’re collaborating with environmental leaders in government, academia and industry to curb pollution.

We’re testing innovative technologies and implementing new processes that better manage emissions on land and at sea. Among other things we have:

• Converted our vessels to cleaner-burning low-sulfur fuel at U.S. West Coast ports;
• Upgraded to cleaner-burning engines in cargo-handling equipment at our marine terminals and converted much of that equipment to biodiesel fuel;
• Developed and tested new methods of “cold-ironing,” which will allow us to switch off auxiliary engines when vessels are berthed; and
• Agreed to test a new on-board ballast-water treatment system that will prevent the introduction of foreign species to local waterways.

APL has received awards from the ports of Seattle and Oakland, the city of Los Angeles and the U.S. Coast Guard for its environmental advancements. But we understand that there’s always more to do if we’re going to live up to our commitment to strive for environmental excellence through continual improvement.