APM Terminals Pier 400 earns dual ISO Certifications

APM Terminals Pier 400 in the Port of Los Angeles has achieved dual certification under two globally recognized standards: ISO 45001 for Occupational Health & Safety Management and ISO 14001 for Environmental Management System. The certifications establish Pier 400 as a leader in safe, efficient and environmentally responsible operations — one of only a few US terminals to hold both standards.

“These certifications validate that we’ve built our operations around global best practices, while staying true to our core values: getting people home safely and being a good corporate citizen for the environment,” said Jon Poelma, Managing Director of APM Terminals Pier 400. “For customers, the outcomes of our efforts result in fewer delays, safer moves and higher performance.”

Achieving ISO 45001 and ISO 14001 certification required six years of disciplined work, including the design and implementation of terminal-wide safety and environmental systems. These systems now apply to 100% of Pier 400’s employees and contractors. Every procedure was developed to meet world-class standards: from how cranes are operated to how hazardous materials are managed and shore power is delivered. DNV, a globally accredited registrar and classification society, verified the terminals’ systems through a rigorous audit process.

“At Pier 400, safety and sustainability are not departments, they’re part of every decision, every day,” said Christopher Allen, Director of Health, Safety, Security & Environment (HSSE). “Whether it’s locking out electrical hazards or cutting emissions from berthed ships through our shore power program, our systems help protect our people, our environment and the cargo our customers count on us to move.”

Safety has always been a cornerstone of Pier 400’s operations. Over the past six years, the terminal has implemented robust, standardized safety systems that have helped reduce its OSHA Lost Time Injury Rate (LTI) to 0.56 in 2024 — well below the US West Coast benchmark of 2.61, according to the Pacific Maritime Association (PMA). This performance also earned Pier 400 a PMA Accident Prevention Award, recognizing industry leadership in workplace safety.

On the environmental front, Pier 400 has contributed to the broad gains in clean air progress at the Port of Los Angeles in recent years. APM Terminals’ 2023 emissions report shows notable reductions across the board. Emissions of key pollutants are down — nitrogen oxides by 60 percent, diesel particulate by 47 percent, and greenhouse gases by 41 percent — thanks to terminal-wide efforts to reduce energy use, electrify equipment and adopt renewable energy sources.

Underlying these achievements is Pier 400’s “Lean” operating model — a foundation built on standardization, benchmarking and continuous improvement. The Lean approach strengthens supply chain efficiency and resilience in the face of disruptions and turns operational discipline into a lasting competitive advantage for customers.

DNV issued the two certifications on July 14, 2025, with each certification valid for a period of three years. Founded in 1864 and based in Norway, DNV is one of the world’s leading certification bodies operating in more than 100 countries.