The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has awarded US$2.4 million to the Port of Baltimore, in order to repower marine engines and upgrade the equipment used for moving cargo.
The funding is expected to reduce emissions at both the port itself and in surrounding areas.
Initiatives such as the Clean Diesel and Dray Truck Replacement program have enabled the Port of Baltimore to reduce the lifetime amount of air pollutants by more than 10,000 tons, without impacting the growth of its business.
According to the port, the funding will be used replace 35 dray trucks and 30 pieces of cargo-handling equipment, including forklifts and yard tractors, as well as repowering four marine engines.
Erik Neugaard and Peg Buchan, Port Everglades, discuss Port Everglades' cooperation project with the EPA in a recent Port Technology technical paper
These replacements and repowers will result in the reduction of around 37 tons of particulate matter, 398 tons of nitrogen oxides, 165 tons of carbon monoxide, and 724 tons of carbon dioxide.
Larry Hogan, Governor of Maryland, commented on the federal grant: “Our administration is committed to growing Maryland’s economy while protecting our environment.
“This federal funding will support growth at one of our state’s top economic engines, while significantly reducing emissions and building on the clean air progress that we have made.”
Ben Grumbles, Maryland Environment Secretary, added: “The Maryland Department of the Environment thanks EPA for this smart investment in clean air around the port and across the Baltimore area.
“A green and thriving port contributes to a healthy Maryland economy while also continuing the clean air progress Maryland has made in recent years.”
In 2018, the Port of Baltimore hosted the first North American GreenPort Congress conference, bringing together maritime professionals to discuss environmental initiatives and developments.
In addition to this, Baltimore has also been recognized for its nationally-renowned dredged material management program, where sediment from shipping channels leading to the port is reused to restore wetlands and eroding islands.