Chris Zuffante
Port of Boston (Massport)

So, You Want to Decarbonize Your Port?

Decarbonization is debatably the hottest topic in all industries due to the pressure from political activists and global regulations. The recent push to decarbonize has sent shockwaves through ports everywhere. In the current paper, I will explore the costs associated with going green, how ports plan to budget, and if they are able. I will communicate the struggles that my port faces from declaring that we will be carbon neutral by 2031 while giving you a firsthand view of being a member of Massport’s Net Zero Team. I’ll include our customers’ expectations along with what direction they are headed in to achieve net zero operations. The process involves hard work with a variety of people with different roles in planning, budgeting, procurement, and execution. This hard work raises the question: Is carbon neutrality reachable by 2031? The technology for terminal equipment has come a long way, but we do not see a viable solution to replace our diesel-powered yard equipment yet. This paper is intended for ports that are in the initial phase of the carbon-neutral journey and need guidance from a cold-weather port that is currently experiencing the same journey.