PMSA Statement on Approval of a Cooperative Agreement with the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach
November 7, 2025
Contact: Natasha Villa, External Affairs Manger
nvilla@pmsaship.com | (562) 241-0433
LONG BEACH, CA – Mike Jacob, President of the Pacific Merchant Shipping Association (PMSA), issued the following statement following today’s South Coast Air Quality Management District (SCAQMD) Board meeting:
“PMSA applauds the SCAQMD Governing Board for approving a Cooperative Agreement today between the Air District and the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach. This historic agreement represents a balanced, results-driven approach to investing in the infrastructure necessary to continue our incredible progress on air quality improvement at Southern California’s seaports. The Cooperative Agreement was the result of earnest negotiations by all parties, grounded in a common vision to make reasonable efforts to achieve even greater levels of cleaner air without disrupting the economic engine that is the San Pedro Bay Ports Complex.
“Along with the Air District’s Board and staff, we thank the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach for reaching consensus on the Cooperative Agreement, and Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass and Long Beach Mayor Rex Richardson for the leadership roles they played to bring this to fruition.
“The real-world transition to zero emissions is an ambitious, complicated, and expensive proposition. While the Cooperative Agreement’s implementation schedules will be aggressive, it allows for new technologies to fail before they succeed and costs that will fluctuate, all while acknowledging that success depend on factors beyond the direct control of the Ports, their tenants, utilities, equipment manufacturers, and the Air District.
“In the end, the parties have accomplished what few believed possible just months ago. Residents and businesses in Southern California will all be better off economically and environmentally as a result of the hard work of the Air District and the Ports, and for that they all deserve our heartfelt thanks.”
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About the Pacific Merchant Shipping Association (PMSA)
PMSA is an independent, not-for-profit association which represents owners and operators of marine terminals, ocean carriers, and vessels operating on the US West Coast. PMSA maintains offices in Oakland, Long Beach, and Seattle.