On 12 June 2007, YICT officially signed an "Environmental Initiatives" Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with the Port of Long Beach (POLB), California, becoming the first terminal operator in Shenzhen to affect an international accord of cooperation in the field of environmental protection. Mr. Bob Foster, Mayor of Long Beach, Mr. James Hankla, President of the Board of Harbour Commissioners of POLB, Mr. Kenneth Tse, Director and General Manager of YICT, and Mr. YB Wai, Assistant General Manager of YICT, signed the MOA at a ceremony held at YICT.
In recognising the need to formulate and implement green working practices, YICT and the POLB will collaborate on a number of environmental issues related to marine wildlife, air, soil, and water preservation. The MOA covers the exchange of technical information on improving air quality, the set-up of joint-delegations to investigate port emissions and pollutants, as well as the ongoing development of control measures and best practices surrounding port and urban regeneration policies.
The collaboration between YICT and the POLB will make effective use of each port’s unique characteristics to bring mutual benefits to each port. Since commencing operations in 1994, YICT has been mindful of the need to safeguard the environment and has followed a “Green Port” development course. In early 2007, YICT was presented with an Environmental Protection Certificate from the Shenzhen Pengcheng Waste Reduction Steering Committee for its conscientious efforts to reduce waste and protect the environment.
YICT and the POLB plan to convene their first port delegation meeting under the MOA during the first Trans-Pacific Maritime Asia Conference, which is scheduled to take place on 17 -18 September. Subsequent exchanges will be scheduled following the conference.