Port of Los Angeles / Long Beach¶
The Proof It Works: How California's At-Berth Regulation Is Saving Lives¶
~3,200 t criteria pollutants emitted at berth annually (pre-regulation baseline)
1.5M+ below-median-income residents in surrounding communities
90%+ reduction in diesel particulate matter since 2005
CARB mandatory at-berth emissions controls since 2014
Sources: ICCT Port Emissions Screening (2024); Port of LA 2024 Air Emissions Inventory; Port of Long Beach 2024 Air Emissions Inventory; CARB At-Berth Regulation compliance data; U.S. Census ACS; CDC PLACES (2024); EPA TRI; EPA EJScreen
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Port Overview¶
The San Pedro Bay port complex — comprising the Port of Los Angeles and the Port of Long Beach — is the largest port complex in the Western Hemisphere and the busiest in the United States. Together, the two ports handled nearly 20 million TEUs in 2024, representing approximately 40% of all containerized cargo entering the United States. The Port of LA alone recorded 10.3 million TEUs in 2024, a 19% year-over-year increase and the largest annual percentage gain in port history.
This page is different from every other port assessment on this site. Los Angeles / Long Beach is the benchmark — the proof that at-berth emissions regulation works. Every other port page asks "what if we did what California did?" This page answers: here's what happened when California did it.
Since the CARB At-Berth Regulation took effect in 2014 and was strengthened in 2020, the LA/LB port complex has achieved transformative reductions: DPM down 90%, SOx down 98%, NOx down 73% from 2005 baselines. In 2024, the port's share of regional mobile source emissions fell to just 6.4%, down from 12.7% in 2005 — even as cargo volumes grew 38%.1
Who Is Affected¶
Despite dramatic regulatory progress, the communities surrounding the San Pedro Bay complex continue to face elevated pollution burdens from cumulative industrial exposure. These neighborhoods are among the most environmentally burdened in California.
| Community | Population | Key Health Burden |
|---|---|---|
| Wilmington | 54,000+ | 90% Latino; cancer risk 664 per million (98% above LA basin average); 6th-lowest life expectancy in LA |
| Carson | 95,000+ | 39% Hispanic, 27% Asian, 22% Black; AB 617 environmental justice community |
| San Pedro | 57,000+ | Adjacent to cruise and container terminals; port truck corridor exposure |
| West Long Beach | 50,000+ | AB 617 designated community; surrounded by port terminals, oil refineries, rail yards |
| Long Beach (citywide) | 444,000+ | 9.6 million TEUs in 2024; shore power and capture infrastructure expanding |
Community Health Profile¶
CDC PLACES data for Los Angeles County (2,300+ census tracts) provides tract-level health estimates that quantify the remaining health burden in port-adjacent communities — even under CARB regulation. Wilmington, Carson, and West Long Beach continue to show elevated health indicators:
| Health Measure | Port-Adjacent Communities | LA County | California |
|---|---|---|---|
| Current asthma among adults | 10.5% | 8.8% | 8.5% |
| COPD among adults | 6.8% | 5.2% | 5.0% |
| Coronary heart disease | 7.2% | 5.8% | 5.5% |
| Depression among adults | 19.5% | 17.2% | 17.0% |
| Obesity among adults | 40.2% | 30.5% | 28.8% |
| Fair or poor self-rated health | 26.8% | 19.5% | 18.2% |
| High blood pressure | 33.5% | 28.8% | 28.0% |
Despite dramatic emissions reductions under CARB regulation, port-adjacent communities continue to experience health outcomes that reflect decades of cumulative exposure from ports, oil refineries, rail yards, and freeways. Obesity (40.2%) and fair/poor self-rated health (26.8%) in port-adjacent tracts significantly exceed county averages.7
Data Source
CDC PLACES provides modeled estimates for 40 health measures at census tract level. LA County data covers 2,300+ tracts — the largest dataset of any port in this assessment. AB 617 community monitoring in Wilmington, Carson, and West Long Beach provides additional hyperlocal data that complements PLACES estimates.
Environmental Justice
Wilmington, Carson, and West Long Beach were designated as an AB 617 environmental justice community by CalEPA — California's landmark program targeting the state's most pollution-burdened neighborhoods. The combined 48 square miles are impacted by 2 major ports, 5 oil refineries, 9 rail yards, and 4 major freeways. Industries in the area emitted 1.7 million pounds of toxic air contaminants in 2020, including benzene, ammonia, and hydrogen cyanide. Cancer risk in Wilmington ranks in the top 2% of the entire South Coast basin.2
The EPA Toxics Release Inventory identifies over 700 TRI-reporting facilities in Los Angeles County, with heavy concentrations in the port-adjacent industrial corridor. The South Coast AQMD's Community Emissions Reduction Plan documents 2 major ports, 5 oil refineries, 9 rail yards, and 4 major freeways within the 48-square-mile AB 617 designated area — making this one of the most industrially impacted zones in the country.8
AB 617 Environmental Justice Zone¶
The Wilmington, Carson, and West Long Beach communities were designated as an AB 617 environmental justice community by CalEPA — California's landmark program targeting the state's most pollution-burdened neighborhoods. The combined 48-square-mile zone encompasses 2 major ports, 5 oil refineries, 9 rail yards, and 4 major freeways.
In 2020, industries in the AB 617 zone emitted 1.7 million pounds of toxic air contaminants, including benzene, ammonia, and hydrogen cyanide. The South Coast AQMD's Community Emissions Reduction Plan (CERP) sets enforceable targets for reducing emissions from each source category — creating a framework that parallels the regulatory model Port Health Watch advocates for at-berth vessel emissions nationally.
| AB 617 Zone Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Designated area | 48 square miles |
| Major ports | 2 (LA + Long Beach) |
| Oil refineries | 5 |
| Rail yards | 9 |
| Major freeways | 4 |
| Toxic air contaminants (2020) | 1.7 million pounds |
| Cancer risk — Wilmington | Top 2% of South Coast basin |
The AB 617 Model
AB 617 creates a community-level emissions reduction framework with enforceable targets, resident-led monitoring, and mandatory CERP implementation. This model demonstrates that comprehensive environmental justice regulation is achievable at scale — and the emissions reductions documented in LA/LB prove it works.5
Port Emissions Inventories¶
Both the Port of LA and Port of Long Beach publish annual air emissions inventories — the most detailed port-level emissions data available in the United States. These inventories provide the baseline against which CARB regulatory impact is measured.
| Metric | Port of LA (2024) | Port of Long Beach (2024) |
|---|---|---|
| Container throughput | 10.3M TEUs | 9.6M TEUs |
| DPM change (YoY) | +8% | +23% |
| DPM reduction (since 2005) | 90% | 86% |
| SOx reduction (since 2005) | 98% | — |
| NOx reduction (since 2005) | 73% | — |
| Port share of regional emissions | 6.4% (down from 12.7% in 2005) | — |
Record Volumes, Rising Emissions
Despite dramatic long-term reductions, 2024 saw year-over-year increases in DPM (+8% at LA, +23% at LB) driven by record cargo volumes. This demonstrates that even under regulation, sustained technology investment and enforcement vigilance remain essential — cargo growth can erode emissions gains if not matched by continued control deployment.6
Health Impact Analysis¶
The CARB At-Berth Regulation has delivered measurable health benefits. Using the EPA's concentration-response methodology and CARB compliance data, we model both the remaining health burden from port emissions and the additional benefits achievable through next-generation carbon capture technology.
The current regulatory framework achieves over 95% compliance. The scenario below models the additional benefits of deploying CARB-certified barge-mounted capture with integrated carbon capture (99% PM2.5, 95% NOx, up to 95% CO2 removal — independently verified by Yorke Engineering LLC) on remaining uncontrolled vessel calls and as a complement to shore power.
| Health Outcome | Pre-Regulation Burden | Current (With CARB Regulation) |
|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 emissions at port (tonnes/yr) | ~900 t (2005 baseline) | ~90 t (90% reduction achieved) |
| NOx emissions at port (tonnes/yr) | ~1,800 t (2005 baseline) | ~490 t (73% reduction achieved) |
| Premature deaths from port PM2.5 | Estimated 60–150/year | Estimated 6–15/year (remaining) |
| Cardiovascular & respiratory hospitalizations | Estimated 240–600/year | Estimated 25–60/year (remaining) |
| Childhood asthma ED visits | Estimated 360–900/year | Estimated 35–90/year (remaining) |
| Monetized health benefit of regulation (EPA VSL) | $180M+/year (baseline burden) | $160M+ saved annually by regulation |
Methodology Note
Pre-regulation estimates use EPA's concentration-response function for PM2.5 (Krewski et al. 2009, ACS CPS-II) and EPA Value of Statistical Life ($11.8M, 2024-adjusted). Reduction percentages from Port of LA and Port of Long Beach 2024 Annual Emissions Inventories. Remaining burden estimates reflect post-regulation emissions levels. All estimates are conservative — they exclude SOx and secondary PM2.5 formation, which would increase totals. The 2024 inventories showed year-over-year emissions increases (DPM +8% at LA, +23% at LB) driven by record cargo volumes, demonstrating that ongoing vigilance and technology deployment remain essential.
Wind Patterns & Community Exposure¶
NOAA climatological data from Los Angeles International Airport shows strong prevailing onshore winds from the west and west-southwest (approximately 48% of days), with an average wind speed of 7.1 mph. These persistent onshore winds push port emissions inland — directly into Wilmington, Carson, West Long Beach, and Compton. During Santa Ana events (northeast winds, approximately 5–8% of days, mainly October through March), coastal communities west of the port experience temporary exposure. The consistent westerly pattern makes the LA/LB port complex's downwind impact zone one of the most predictable and well-documented in the country.
The STAX Revolution¶
In July 2025, STAX Engineering was named the first official on-call provider for at-berth emissions control at the Port of Los Angeles — a milestone that marks the transition from regulatory compliance to operational infrastructure. STAX operates CARB-certified barge-mounted capture systems that remove 99% of PM2.5 and 95% of NOx from vessel exhaust while docked.
Since early 2024, STAX has treated over 1,190 vessels across five California ports, accumulating 25,000 hours of operation and capturing 190 tonnes of pollutants. The technology serves vessel classes that cannot use shore power — including tankers and auto carriers — making it essential for achieving complete at-berth emissions control.3
In April 2025, STAX and Seabound successfully demonstrated the first integrated emissions and carbon capture solution at the Port of Long Beach. The system captures PM2.5, NOx, and CO2 from a single exhaust stream — with CO2 captured at approximately 80% efficiency and permanently mineralized as calcium carbonate. The demonstration, conducted on the Wallenius Wilhelmsen ro-ro carrier Talisman and verified by Yorke Engineering, was funded by CARB and South Coast AQMD.4
In August 2025, STAX secured CARB Executive Orders for four barges to service tanker vessels — becoming the first and only emissions control provider approved for all three major vessel classes (container ships, auto carriers, and tankers) in California.
The Road to 2028¶
The 2028 Los Angeles Olympics present a singular opportunity to demonstrate what clean port operations look like at global scale. Edward Norton, Chief Sustainability Officer of STAX Engineering, framed the ambition at the LACI Road to 2028 Summit in December 2025: "Olympic athletes should arrive in Los Angeles and not breathe a single iota of NOx or particulate matter from ships at the Port of LA."
The summit generated $125 million in new public and private commitments toward clean energy and transportation infrastructure. STAX's grid-independent barge technology — which captures emissions without drawing shore power — complements the broader electrification agenda by freeing grid capacity for other zero-emission infrastructure.
LACI's Clean Energy 2028 Roadmap targets a 15% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions across Greater Los Angeles by the Games. At-berth emissions capture is a visible, measurable component of that goal — and a proof point that the world can see.
The Regulatory Gap — What LA/LB Proves for Every Other Port¶
California's CARB At-Berth Regulation has been in effect since 2014, was strengthened in 2020, and reaches full implementation in 2027 when tanker coverage expands to all California ports. The results are unambiguous: 90%+ reductions in diesel particulate matter, 98% reductions in SOx, and over 95% compliance — while cargo volumes grew 38%.
In October 2023, the EPA authorized California's regulation under the Clean Air Act, legally enabling other states to adopt the identical standard. No state has done so. The technology is proven, the regulatory framework exists, and the health benefits are quantified. The only missing piece outside California is the political will to act.
What LA/LB Demonstrates
The LA/LB experience proves several critical points for every other port in this assessment portfolio:
- Regulation works: 90%+ DPM reduction, 98% SOx reduction, even as cargo volumes grew 38%
- Compliance is achievable: Over 95% compliance rate across the port complex
- Technology is commercially deployed: STAX operates 8 barges across 5 ports, treating 3 vessel classes
- Carbon capture is next: Integrated emissions + CO2 capture demonstrated and verified at Long Beach
- Economic growth is compatible: Record cargo volumes coexist with record emissions reductions
- The model is exportable: EPA authorization means any state can adopt this standard today
What Comes Next¶
The LA/LB port complex is the global benchmark for at-berth emissions control. But the work is not done. Year-over-year emissions increases in 2024 — driven by record cargo volumes — demonstrate that sustained investment in technology and enforcement is essential.
Port Health Watch is developing frameworks to extend the LA/LB model nationally:
- Air Quality Health Units (AQHUs): The first tradable health benefit asset class for port pollution reduction, under development for submission to Verra's SD VISta program. Learn more →
- Carbon credit methodology: A Verra VCS methodology for at-berth maritime carbon capture, targeting July 2026 submission. Learn more →
- LA/Long Beach Interactive Dashboard →: CARB emissions reduction trends, CDC PLACES health data, AB 617 zone analysis, wind patterns, and at-berth emissions profile.
The Benchmark
The Port of Los Angeles / Long Beach proves that at-berth emissions regulation saves lives, protects communities, and is compatible with record-breaking economic growth. Since 2005, diesel particulate matter is down 90%, SOx is down 98%, and the port complex handles 38% more cargo. With CARB-certified capture technology now treating three vessel classes and integrated carbon capture verified at Long Beach, the question for every other U.S. port is no longer whether this works — it's when they will start.
Interactive Dashboard¶
NOAA wind patterns and AB 617 zone analysis. Additional CARB emissions reduction trends, CDC PLACES health indicators, and at-berth emissions visualizations are part of the full assessment.
Wind Rose — NOAA LAX Station¶
Prevailing wind directions from Los Angeles International Airport, based on daily observations. Westerly and west-southwesterly winds (48% of days) carry port emissions inland toward Wilmington, Carson, West Long Beach, and Compton. Average daily wind speed: 7.1 mph.
| Direction | Frequency | Downwind Communities |
|---|---|---|
| W | 28% | Wilmington, Carson, Compton |
| WSW | 20% | Wilmington, West Long Beach |
| SW | 15% | Long Beach, Signal Hill |
| S | 8% | North Long Beach, Compton |
| SE | 5% | Harbor City, Torrance |
| E | 4% | San Pedro, Palos Verdes |
| NE | 5% | San Pedro (Santa Ana events) |
| NW | 15% | Carson, Compton |
Source: NOAA NCEI Climate Data Online. Los Angeles International Airport, daily summaries.
AB 617 Environmental Justice Zone¶
The Wilmington, Carson, and West Long Beach AB 617 designated area — 48 square miles of the most industrially impacted land in California. Industries in this zone emitted 1.7 million pounds of toxic air contaminants in 2020.
| AB 617 Zone Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Designated area | 48 square miles |
| Major ports | 2 (LA + Long Beach) |
| Oil refineries | 5 |
| Rail yards | 9 |
| Major freeways | 4 |
| Toxic air contaminants (2020) | 1.7 million pounds |
| Cancer risk — Wilmington | Top 2% of South Coast basin |
Full Dashboard Available
For the complete dashboard suite — CDC PLACES health comparisons, monetized health impact, industrial facility burden — see our demonstration assessments at Duluth-Superior and New York/New Jersey, or contact us for a site-specific dashboard.
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Port of Los Angeles, "2024 Air Emissions Inventory" (October 2025); Port of Long Beach, "2024 Air Emissions Inventory"; ICCT, "Nationwide port emissions screening for berthed vessels" (September 2024). ↩
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CalEPA, AB 617 Community Air Protection Program — Wilmington, Carson, West Long Beach; South Coast AQMD Community Emissions Reduction Plan; CalMatters, "Environmental Justice by the Numbers" (2022). ↩
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STAX Engineering, "Named First Official Provider for At-Berth Emissions Control Services at the Port of Los Angeles" (July 2025); STAX Engineering, "Secures CARB Executive Order to Service Tanker Vessels throughout California" (August 2025). ↩
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STAX Engineering and Seabound, "Successfully Demonstrate First-Of-Its-Kind Integrated Emissions and Carbon Capture Solution" (April 2025); Yorke Engineering LLC, independent verification. ↩
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CalEPA AB 617 Community Air Protection Program; South Coast AQMD, Community Emissions Reduction Plan — Wilmington, Carson, West Long Beach (2019). ↩
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Port of Los Angeles, "2024 Air Emissions Inventory" (October 2025); Port of Long Beach, "2024 Air Emissions Inventory" (2025). ↩
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CDC PLACES, census tract–level health estimates, Los Angeles County CA (2024 release). Port-adjacent averages from tracts within Wilmington, Carson, and West Long Beach AB 617 designated area. ↩
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EPA Toxics Release Inventory, Envirofacts database, Los Angeles County CA facilities; South Coast AQMD, Community Emissions Reduction Plan — Wilmington, Carson, West Long Beach. ↩