Port Pollution Is a Complex Problem

Re “Meeting Delay for Hahn Task Force Stirs Concern,” Feb. 10: Once again The Times has missed the point in claiming that the ports are the largest source of air pollution in the region. If only it were that simple.

The reality is the ports are made up of thousands of enterprises and operations that carry goods into and out of the ports. There are thousands of ship visits, truck trips and rail moves every year. There are thousands of pieces of equipment -- from tugboats to forklifts -- that provide the cargo-handling needs and support the movement of goods into the region.

There are thousands of vessels that provide leisure and recreation for millions of people, including cruise ship passengers, visitors to Catalina and whale watchers.

To characterize this as a “single source” terribly understates the complexity of the issues. There is no single source and therefore there is no single solution. This does not mean the problems are insurmountable.

The good news is that for each source there are solutions already underway. A broad range of regulations and laws is coming into effect that will significantly improve the air quality at the ports.

And the individual companies that operate at the ports are also making major voluntary investments in new ships, efficient terminals and new, cleaner equipment and fuels.

T.L. Garrett

Pacific Merchant Shipping

Assn., Long Beach