Officials from the Port of Los Angeles and Japan External Trade Organization Los Angeles Office have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to further promote cooperation in several key strategic areas, including sustainability, environmental initiatives and supply chain optimisation.
Port executive director, Gene Seroka and JETRO Los Angeles chief executive director Osamu Taki signed the agreement at a ceremony held at the Japan Consulate General Residence in Los Angeles on 14 November.
Japan Consulate officials, representatives from Los Angeles mayor Garcetti’s office and several Japanese company executives were also on hand to celebrate the agreement.
“This agreement is built upon the goodwill and trust Japan and Los Angeles have achieved through our collaboration over many years, in many areas,” said Japan consul general Sone.
He added, “This is how ambitious initiatives actually get done at the working level on the field. Implementing new ideas, proving them to be viable, and bringing in the support to make it all happen. This is at the heart of the MOU.”
The MoU calls on the Port of Los Angeles and JETRO Los Angeles to work closely on strategies related to environmental sustainability, including collaboration and best practice sharing on zero-emission vehicle and equipment testing and deployment; use of alternative energy sources; and cooperation on other emerging terminals, ship and truck environmental initiatives.
JETRO Los Angeles has also agreed to facilitate introductions to Japanese companies for the port to potentially enlist their expertise and help on environmental and zero-emission initiatives.
