The Port of Long Beach has launched a pilot project for zero-emissions cranes and other cargo-handling equipment.

According to the port, the project is funded mostly by a US$9.7 million grant from the California Energy Commission and will bring 25 vehicles that are zero- or near zero-emissions to three terminals at Long Beach for a year to test their performance in a real-world setting.

The project will involve the conversion of nine diesel-electric rubber-tyre gantry cranes into fully electric equipment at one terminal, the purchase of 12 battery-electric yard tractors for two more terminals, and the conversion of four LNG trucks into plug-in hybrid-electric trucks for a drayage trucking firm.

“The Zero-Emissions Terminal Transition Project kicks off a new era in transportation electrification and the port’s own transformation to zero-emissions,” said Lou Anne Bynum [centre in photo], president of the Long Beach Harbor Commission. “We are grateful for the partnerships with the Energy Commission and Southern California Edison that are making this a reality.”

The launch event was held at Pacific Container Terminal at Pier J, operated by SSA Marine Terminals.

“SSA Terminals appreciates the confidence that the Port of Long Beach has shown in our company by selecting us to be part of this major project to electrify the nine large container-handling yard cranes at our Pacific Container Terminal,” said Paul Gagnon, vice president of SSA Marine Terminals. “We hope that this partnership will continue as we all strive for cleaner air quality.”

In 2017, the ports of Long Beach and Los Angeles approved an update to their Clean Air Action Plan, setting a goal of transitioning all terminal equipment to zero-emissions by 2030.

“This project is another example of the goods movement industry, equipment builders, utilities and public agencies stepping up to reach for the goal of zero emissions,” said Mario Cordero [fourth from left in photo], executive director of the Port of Long Beach. “Today, you can see how everyone is coming together to meet that challenge.”

The project is expected to reduce greenhouse gases by more than 1,323 tons and smog-causing nitrogen oxides by 27 tons each year. The switch to zero-emissions equipment is also expected to save more than 270,000 gallons of diesel fuel.

“The projects we are kicking off today will help to address some of Southern California’s biggest challenges – cleaning up the air and reducing harmful greenhouse gases that cause climate change,” said Ron Nichols [third from right in photo], president of the SCE. “SCE’s vision for a clean energy future means partnering with the port and other SCE customers to electrify transportation, as well as working hard to make sure the electricity that we provide to power those vehicles is produced with clean, renewable resources.”