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US ports plan phase-out of diesel equipment after securing EPA grants

By Michael Angell

US ports are poised for one of the largest ever upgrade cycles for container handling equipment after the federal government announced $ 2.8 billion in grants to replace diesel-powered yard equipment with electric equipment . With the grants , ports that abut residential areas can keep growing cargo volumes while diminishing the adverse effects of pollution and carbon emissions .

The Environmental Protection Agency ( EPA ) on Oct . 29 said its Clean Ports Program will fund 21 projects across US ports for replacing diesel-powered cargo handling equipment with electric equipment , making it the largest port segment for replacement grants after other areas including vessel shore power , solar installations and trucks and rail . The funds are available under the Biden administration ’ s Inflation Reduction Act .

The Port of New York and New Jersey received $ 344 million , the third-largest grant behind the ports of Los Angeles and Virginia . Beth Rooney , port director for the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey ( PANYNJ ), told the Journal of Commerce Oct . 30 that a large grant was needed to tackle a port-wide equipment upgrade .

Rooney said there are some 2,700 pieces of equipment at local marine terminals that could be replaced under the program . Replacing that equipment will be the equivalent of removing 14,000 gasoline-powered cars from the road annually , she added , and remove a source of 67,000 tons of carbon dioxide emissions .

New York-New Jersey also received another $ 3 million toward air monitoring and community engagement efforts .

“ With $ 344 million , we ’ ll be able to really move the needle in terms of implementing stuff .”

‘ Moving the needle ’

Since implementing a clean air action program in 2009 , Rooney said the port pollution has decreased by half or more depending on the specific pollutant . Marine terminal operators in New Jersey have undertaken their own initiatives to reduce diesel pollution over the years . Port Newark Container Terminal deployed propane-powered yard tractors through a private grant , and Maher Terminals used a state program funded through the Volkswagen diesel mitigation trust to deploy hybrid and electric straddle carriers . However , the impact of those smaller , one-off grants will pale comparison with that of the Clean Ports funding , Rooney said .

The $ 466 million Howard Street project is expected to be fully complete in 2026 . AJ Packer / Shutterstock . com

First track improvements allow CSX to double-stack containers from Baltimore

By Michael Angell

CSX Transportation has begun double-stacked intermodal service out of the Port of Baltimore after completing the first round of tunnel and track improvements from the port that will ultimately boost Baltimore ’ s current container handling capacity by one-third .

Maryland Gov . Wes Moore said in an Oct . 28 statement the start of double-stacked rail operations from Baltimore

16 Journal of Commerce | November 18 , 2024 www . joc . com