The Port of Los Angeles released its Inventory of Air Emissions for 2025, showing the lowest emissions per container on record, continuing a two-decade trend of significant reductions.
"The Port of Los Angeles continues to demonstrate that economic growth and environmental progress can go hand in hand," said Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass in an October 22 news release. "These results reflect years of investment, collaboration, and our shared commitment to building a stronger, more sustainable future for our Harbor communities while ensuring Los Angeles remains a competitive hub for global commerce."
Since 2005, the Port has reduced diesel particulate matter emissions (DPM) by 90%, nitrogen oxides (NOx) by 72%, sulfur oxides (SOx) by 98% and greenhouse gases (GHGs) by 16%, while container volumes have increased 37%.
The port says the latest inventory also shows continued progress since 2017, when the Port of Los Angeles and neighboring Port of Long Beach updated their landmark Clean Air Action Plan to accelerate the transition toward zero-emissions operations. Emissions of DPM, NOx and SOx and GHGs are down 15%, 38%, 28% and 9% since then.
In 2025 alone, emissions of DPM fell 2%, NOx declined 4%, SOx dropped 5% and GHGs decreased 3% compared with 2024. The reduction in NOx marked the lowest annual total for that pollutant since the Port began tracking emissions in 2005.
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Each year, the Port inventories air pollution from ships, trucks, trains, harbor craft and cargo-handling equipment to measure the results of its clean air strategies. The new report is based on trade activity during calendar year 2025.
Newer, cleaner trucks continue to replace their diesel counterparts, resulting in annual clean air gains. This includes a substantial decrease in DPM and NOx – down 16% and 25% – in a single year. All pollutants are down since 2005 with dramatic declines of DPM, NOx and SOx – down 98%, 94% and 97% respectively.
When it comes to cargo-handling equipment, the port recorded a 20% increase in the number of electric cargo-handling units last year alone. Today, zero-emission pieces comprise 14% of all cargo handling equipment operating at the port, and there are 10 times as many pieces of cleaner hybrid equipment since 2017. The result is a steady drop in emissions at every milestone, with a total decline of DPM, NOx and SOx of 83%, 87% and 84% since 2005.
In terms of ships, cleaner marine fuels, increased use of shore power and comparable emissions capture technologies, and fewer ship arrivals – down 34% since 2005 – continue to drive progress. Emissions of DPM are down 19% and NOx and SOx by 29% since 2017 and down 94%, 58% and 98% since 2005.
Regional, state and federal air regulatory agencies review the inventory each year before the Port releases its findings. Their review helps verify the findings.
In 2025, the Port handled nearly 10.2 million twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs).
