B. Jason Barlow
The Port of Virginia

The Push for Zero-Emissions: Lessons Learned from California Ports’ Decarbonization Projects as Ports Eye Leveraging Green Technology into a Commercial Advantage

Whether nudged by regulation or hoping to expand market share, many United States ports are adopting or considering decarbonization goals. For example, the California San Pedro Bay Ports Clean Air Action Plan targets reducing greenhouse gases from port-related sources to 40% below 1990 levels by 2030, and 80% below 1990 levels by 2050. On the East Coast, The Port of Virginia has committed to be carbon neutral by 2040. Reducing carbon emissions in marine terminal operations is challenging. Zero-emissions cargo handling equipment remains in its infancy and substantially more expensive than its fossil-fuel powered equivalent. Whether powered by electricity or alternative fuels, such as hydrogen, the new technology requires costly infrastructure upgrades that can quickly eat up capital budgets and valuable revenue generating terminal space. Selecting new equipment to help a port reach its goals requires detailed planning. Permitting and local collaboration, labor relations, space constraints, and the integration of new technology into existing terminal procedures must be carefully assessed. Ports further along on their journeys, such as the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach, undoubtedly have valuable lessons learned to share.