The Ports of Long Beach and Los Angeles have released a final report on the current state and overall feasibility of using clean cargo handling equipment.
The ports initially released a draft assessment in March 2022 for public review and comment.
Building upon the its 2018 assessment, the report examined the current state of technology, operational characteristics, economic considerations, infrastructure availability, and commercial readiness related to cleaner cargo-handling equipment.
The final report follows the ports’ efforts toward their 2017 Clean Air Action Plan (CAAP) Updated 2030 goal of a zero-emissions cargo-handling fleet.
Originally approved in 2006 and later updated in 2017, the CAAP contains a comprehensive strategy for both ports to accelerate a zero-emissions future.
As part of this strategy, the ports committed to developing feasibility assessments every three years for terminal equipment and drayage trucks to inform their approach to meeting those goals.
According to a recent statement, the ports are currently demonstrating 56 pieces of cargo-handling equipment – including zero-emissions yard tractors, top handlers, forklifts, and rubber-tyred gantry cranes – and 16 class 8 on-road trucks – including hybrid, battery-electric, and hydrogen fuel cell technologies – with a number of additional terminal equipment and on-road trucks to be commissioned by the end of the year.
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The San Pedro Bay Ports reported that port-related air pollution emissions in the bay have dropped 90 per cent since 2005 for diesel particulate matter, 63 per cent for nitrogen oxides and 97 per cent for sulphur oxides.
The CAAP calls for the ports to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to 40 per cent below 1990 levels by 2030 and 80 per cent below 1990 levels by 2050.
The resolution unites the nation’s largest ports in making the commitment of zero-emissions ocean shipping by 2030, as well as calling on the Port of Long Beach to establish greener international ocean shipping corridors.
