P O Nedlloyd Container Line Ltd

The Los Angeles Harbor Commission on Wednesday tapped a London-based shipping firm to set up a "green terminal," marking the first time the nation's largest seaport has crafted a lease aimed at reducing air pollution. Commissioners voted 5 to 0 to begin final negotiations with P&O Nedlloyd Container Lines, the world's fourth-largest container shipping firm, which has promised to use cutting-edge clean-air technology at the site.

The Los Angeles Harbor Commission on Wednesday tapped a London-based shipping firm to set up a "green terminal," marking the first time the nation's largest seaport has crafted a lease aimed at reducing air pollution. Commissioners voted 5 to 0 to begin final negotiations with P&O Nedlloyd Container Lines, the world's fourth-largest container shipping firm, which has promised to use cutting-edge clean-air technology at the site.

In a move that surprised and delighted clean-air activists, the Port of Los Angeles staff on Friday backed London-based P & O Nedlloyd Container Line's bid in the acrimonious contest to build a so-called "green terminal" at the nation's largest port. The firm's proposal is the most environmentally sound of five bids and would bring in the most revenue for the port, the staff concluded in a report to the Harbor Commission, which is scheduled to choose a shipping firm Wednesday.

In a move that surprised and delighted clean-air activists, the Port of Los Angeles staff on Friday backed London-based P & O Nedlloyd Container Line's bid in the acrimonious contest to build a so-called "green terminal" at the nation's largest port. The firm's proposal is the most environmentally sound of five bids and would bring in the most revenue for the port, the staff concluded in a report to the Harbor Commission, which is scheduled to choose a shipping firm Wednesday.

City Controller Laura Chick announced Monday that she plans to scrutinize the Los Angeles port's decision to throw out the bids from shipping companies that want to use its new "green terminal," starting the process again with less stringent environmental criteria. Chick said she would look at that controversial step as part of a long-planned follow-up audit on leasing practices at the nation's largest port.

A major international shipping line is asking a judge to halt a controversial bidding process for a prized terminal site at the Port of Los Angeles, claiming that the port appears to be favoring competitor Evergreen Marine Corp. in its efforts to create the "greenest" terminal in the nation. P&O Nedlloyd Container Line Ltd. filed a petition on Thursday in Los Angeles Superior Court seeking a court order to stop the current search for a new port tenant.

In an emergency closed-door meeting today, Los Angeles harbor commissioners will review a major shipping firm's legal filing aimed at blocking the port's current search for a tenant for a "green terminal." Commissioner Camilla Townsend said Monday that she and Commissioner Thomas Warren requested the meeting because of their concerns about the court petition filed last week by London-based P&O Nedlloyd Container Line Ltd. in Los Angeles Superior Court.

Despite Mayor James K. Hahn's vow to reduce air pollution at the harbor, Port of Los Angeles officials last week weakened a plan to limit emissions from ships at a much-touted new "green terminal" intended as a national model.