The Long Beach Board of Harbor Commissioners has given preliminary approval to around $9 million in extra incentives to increase participation in the Green Flag air quality programme.

Its aim is to slow down the speed of ships coming into the port in order to reduce air pollution, which also helps reduce fuel consumption.

Vessel operators who voluntarily slow down within 20 or 40 nautical miles of the harbour receive rebates on dockage fees, and vessels that achieve 100% compliance receive a Green Flag to fly on their ships.

Currently, nearly all ships docking at the Port of Long Beach slow down within a 20-mile zone around the harbor.

"The added incentives are expected to encourage more ships to slow within 40 miles, further decreasing air pollution from the ships' diesel engines," the port said.

In 2009, the Green Flag Program helped cut about 2,000 tonnes of pollution. The expanded incentives could cut an additional 300 tonnes.

The Port also plans to add nearly $6 million in incentives to a programme designed to attract more rail-borne cargo through the Port of Long Beach.

The program, which gives fee discounts to terminal operators, was set to expire on April 30, 2010, but it is now extended until December 31, 2010.

The port added that in a related action, the Board also agreed to eliminate potential double wharfage fees for export containers that are transported between terminals.

The Board is expected to give final approval to the items in the coming weeks.