APL has announced that it will test a process designed to reduce exhaust emissions on one of its container ships next month.

The company said its 863-foot APL China, will test the "cold-ironing" method which enables a ship to use electricity from a shore side source while docked so that it can shut off its diesel generators. The process could cut out 1,000 pounds of exhaust pollutants during a single port call.

APL says it will use a single high voltage cable connection from ship to shore to overcome safety concerns that have made others wary of cold-ironing. APL will use one three-inch power cable instead of 10 cables needed in other methods of cold-ironing.

The APL China will draw power at the US Port of Oakland during an 18-hour test from a portable liquefied natural gas generator.

Los Angeles-based Progressive Electric and Signal Hill-based Wittmar Engineering and Construction Inc. are working with APL on the test.