Port of Los Angeles Achieves Record-Low Emissions in 2025 Amid High Cargo Volume
- The Port of Los Angeles achieved its lowest emissions per container on record during 2025, maintaining a two-decade pollution reduction trend even as container throughput hovered near historic...
- The drop in nitrogen oxides brought annual emissions down to their lowest level since the port started tracking air pollution in 2005.
- Since 2005, the port has cut diesel particulate matter by 90%, nitrogen oxides by 72%, sulfur oxides by 98%, and greenhouse gases by 16%, while total container volumes...
The Port of Los Angeles achieved its lowest emissions per container on record during 2025, maintaining a two-decade pollution reduction trend even as container throughput hovered near historic highs. According to the port’s newly released Inventory of Air Emissions, diesel particulate matter emissions fell 2% last year compared with 2024. Nitrogen oxides dropped 4%, sulfur oxides decreased 5%, and greenhouse gas emissions dropped 3%.
Emissions Reaching Historic Lows Amid High Cargo Volume
The drop in nitrogen oxides brought annual emissions down to their lowest level since the port started tracking air pollution in 2005. These environmental improvements coincided with the facility handling nearly 10.2 million twenty-foot equivalent units, keeping its spot as the busiest container port in the nation.
Decades of Operational Reductions and Fleet Upgrades
Since 2005, the port has cut diesel particulate matter by 90%, nitrogen oxides by 72%, sulfur oxides by 98%, and greenhouse gases by 16%, while total container volumes grew by 37%. Much of this progress stems from targeted investments in cleaner vessels, advanced cargo-handling equipment, and landside transportation improvements.
Ocean-going vessels slashed diesel particulate matter by 94% and sulfur oxides by 98% relative to 2005 levels, driven by cleaner fuels, shore power utilization, and emissions capture technologies. Harbor craft also contributed significantly. By 2025, 55% of tugs, barges, ferries, and other workboats met Tier 3 or Tier 4 emissions standards, a substantial leap from the 20% compliance rate recorded in 2017. Consequently, harbor craft diesel particulate matter emissions dropped 69% since 2005.
Expansion of Zero-Emission Equipment and Truck Fleet Progress
Electric cargo-handling equipment expanded by 20% over the course of 2025, pushing zero-emission units to comprise 14% of the port’s total equipment fleet. Simultaneously, truck-related diesel particulate matter and nitrogen oxides dropped 16% and 25% respectively year over year.
These results demonstrate that we can move high cargo volumes while continuing to reduce emissions.
Port Executive Director Gene Seroka
Ongoing Implementation of the Clean Air Action Plan
The findings reflect the continued rollout of the San Pedro Bay ports’ Clean Air Action Plan. That framework guides ongoing capital allocation into zero-emission machinery, heavy-duty charging infrastructure, and cleaner maritime operating procedures across the harbor complex.