The Port of Los Angeles said on Oct. 22, 2026 that its Port of Los Angeles emissions per container reached the lowest level on record in 2025. The port released its annual Inventory of Air Emissions, which shows pollution fell again from 2024 even though it handled nearly 10.2 million container units.
What Port of Los Angeles emissions data shows
The port tracks emissions from ships, trucks, trains, harbor craft and cargo-handling equipment. Regional, state and federal air regulators review the results before release. Compared with 2005, container volume has grown 37%, but pollution has dropped sharply.
Here is how the totals changed, according to the port:
- Diesel particulate matter: down 90% since 2005 and 2% from 2024.
- Nitrogen oxides: down 72% since 2005 and 4% from 2024.
- Sulfur oxides: down 98% since 2005 and 5% from 2024.
- Greenhouse gases: down 16% since 2005 and 3% from 2024.
The 2025 nitrogen oxide total is also the lowest annual figure since tracking began in 2005.
Where the cuts came from
Trucks made the biggest one-year gain. In 2025, truck diesel particulate matter fell 16% and nitrogen oxides fell 25%. At the terminals, electric cargo-handling equipment grew 20% and now makes up 14% of the fleet.
Harbor craft such as tugs and ferries also improved. About 55% now meet the cleanest federal engine standards, Tier 3 or Tier 4, compared with 20% in 2017. Ship arrivals are down 34% since 2005. Locomotive emissions slipped 1% on slightly lower rail activity.
Why it matters for residents
Communities near the port, including San Pedro, Wilmington and parts of Long Beach, live closest to this pollution. Lower diesel and nitrogen oxide totals mean less of the pollution tied to smog and breathing problems. However, greenhouse gases fell only 16% since 2005, so that figure has the most room to move.
Mayor Karen Bass said economic growth and environmental progress can coexist. Harbor Commission President Beatrice Hsu said there is more work to do and committed the port to a zero-emissions future.
What happens next
The port says it will keep shifting to zero-emission operations. It also plans green shipping corridors with major Asian ports. In addition, it will carry out a cooperative agreement with the South Coast Air Quality Management District to support cleaner ships and trucks and more charging and fueling sites.
Port activity also affects local roads. For example, see our coverage of the Vincent Thomas Bridge closure. For more business news, visit our money and business hub. You can read the full release on the Port of Los Angeles website.