The Port of Long Beach will receive a $30.1 million grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) to deploy zero-emissions cargo handling equipment.
Funding for the new clean air project comes from the 2022 Port Infrastructure Development Program, administered by the U.S. Maritime Administration.
The project will replace diesel yard tractors at Long Beach Container Terminal (LBCT) with approximately 60 electric human-operated yard tractors.
As reported by the port authority, the project at LBCT also includes construction of electric equipment charging stations with energy efficiency-enhancing software, training for operators and maintenance personnel, and installation of software equipment to streamline cargo-handling operations within the terminal.
“I want to thank our partners at the Department of Transportation for continuing to invest in the Port of Long Beach,” said Mayor Robert Garcia.
“We’ve made incredible progress through the Clean Air Action Plan, and this funding to expand the use of zero-emission equipment will continue to improve community health as we strengthen our supply chain.”
READ: Port of Long Beach joins hydrogen fuelling partnership
“This project is a critical step along our path toward zero emissions, will support good-paying jobs, and reduce climate and air-quality impacts on nearby communities,” said Port of Long Beach Executive Director Mario Cordero.
“It is everything we strive for as the nation’s most sustainable seaport – moving cargo in a way that protects the health of our residents while ensuring our operations can continue to grow and support the economy.”
The Port of Long Beach has set a goal of all zero-emissions cargo-handling equipment by 2030 and a zero-emissions drayage truck fleet by 2035.
About 17 per cent of the cargo-handling equipment at the port is electric powered, and most recently the port put a further nine electric cranes into operations at one of its busiest terminals.
The demonstration at SSA Marine Pier J is part of the Zero-Emissions Terminal Equipment Transition Project, which is funded in large part by a $9.7 million California Energy Commission (CEC) grant.
The port moved 741,823 TEU of cargo containers in September, down 0.9 per cent from the same period in 2021.
