Category Archives: Ports

China-France Green Corridors: A New Blueprint for Maritime Decarbonization

Green corridors are a meaningful approach to emissions reduction for shipping. They coordinate the various factors required to make emissions reductions possible. Designating a green corridor will ensure that emissions-reducing fuels will be available in sufficient quantity for the ships calling, and the infrastructure for production and delivery is there. On-shore power will also be available for ships, so they do not need to operate engines just to provide power for the ship support. And in the port, cargo handling equipment can also be designed with cleaner emissions. Properly done, drayage functions will also operate with cleaner power.

It’s great to see a new green corridor connecting China and France. The ports involved are both important stops. And we can anticipate more trade between the EU and
China because of the American tariff hoopla.

Michele Labrut,Americas Correspondent

February 6, 2026

https://www.seatrade-maritime.com/ports-logistics/first-green-shipping-corridor-between-france-and-china

Ports continue march to zero-emissions

The US Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach have reinforced their commitment to zero emissions, by signing an agreement with the South Coast Air Quality Management District. The agreement specifies concrete deadlines for moving to zero emissions.

Since around 2000, the ports here have been very concerned about cleaner air for the South Coast region of California. And there’s no question any more that people’s health in the region has suffered.

And the prolonged efforts since the Clean Air Program of a decade ago have made a significant improvement. The article states that the Clean Air Action Plan that preceded this agreement has already delivered measurable environmental gains, including 90% reductions in diesel particulate matter, 68% cuts in nitrogen oxides and 98% decreases in sulfur oxides from port-related sources since 2005.

The agreement addresses emissions from oceangoing vessels. One way is to use the Environmental Ship Index Incentive Programs. Another move is to zero emissions drayage operations. Some penalties will be introduced for violations.

Once implemented, the agreement will target emissions from cargo handling equipment, harbor craft, trucks, trains and ocean-going vessels across the ports complex.

Three cheers for organizations that keep their eye on environmental improvement despite the current negative talk.

Mike Schuler 11/11/2025

https://gcaptain.com/ports-of-los-angeles-and-long-beach-commit-to-binding-zero-emissions-agreement-with-regulators/

Pacific-Atlantic Rail Link: A Game Changer for China-Brazil Trade

The announcement of an agreement to build a Pacific-Atlantic rail link across South America is important to global commerce. If it actually succeeds, it would allow many goods to skip the Panama Canal in transit from Brazil to the Far East, including China.

The idea seems to be a combined intermodal and bulk rail line from the East Coast of Brazil to Chancay Port in Peru.

China of course imports bulk grain and oilseed cargoes from Brazil. Brazil also is home to some manufacturing which might be cheaper than Chinese manufacturing has become. And Brazil consumes many manufactured goods now as the country develops. China is an ideal source for these.

It’s called the “Two-Ocean Railway”. It should cut the China-Brazil trip to 10 days.

China is already investing $1.3B in Chancay Port in Peru. This railway will create guaranteed demand for the port’s capabilities.

In the light of President Trump’s tariff machinations and his threats surrounding the Panama Canal, it’s wise for the Chinese to create an alternative.

Brazil and China are an ideal trading pair to show comparative advantage at work; each nation produces what it’s best at, and trades for the other goods. The result produces lower costs for both parties, even including transport costs.

Katherine Si, China Correspondent July 15, 2025

https://www.seatrade-maritime.com/ports-logistics/china-and-brazil-plan-pacific-and-atlantic-rail-link