SSA Marine, which operates three container terminals at the Port of Long Beach, has become the first terminal operator at the port to transition its fossil-fuelled cargo handling equipment to renewable diesel fuel.
The change involved over 230 pieces of equipment and is expected to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 68% across its container terminals.
The move directly links into the port’s Clean Air Action Plan which calls for greenhouse gas emissions to be 40% below 1990 levels by 2030.
“Cutting these emissions would not be possible without the leadership shown by partners like SSA Marine,” said Mario Cordero, Executive Director for the Port of Long Beach. “SSA’s vision and hard work in making its operations cleaner shows the goods movement industry the way to a greener future.”
Steven Neal, President of the Long Beach Harbor Commission, added “We know people look to the Port of Long Beach and our partners to set an example when it comes to sustainability. This is what can be done immediately to reduce greenhouse gases while new technologies are developed to reach our ultimate goal of zero emissions. Thank you to SSA for this transformation.”
In addition to this transition to renewable fuel, SSA is working on other initiatives to transition its cargo-handling fleet to zero emissions by 2030. At its Pier J terminal, the company recently completed a demonstration of two battery-electric top handlers and is converting nine rubber-tyred gantry cranes into fully electric.
The Port of Long Beach has also recently announced it will start collecting its Clean Truck Fund (CTF) Rate from 1 April 2022, as approved by the Long Beach Board of Harbor Commissioners.
The port will collect $10 per TEU to encourage the trucking industry to invest in cleaner vehicles. Zero-emissions trucks are exempt from the rate, and the port has approved an expiring exemption for the cleanest natural gas-powered trucks.
