W hen it comes to new strategies for the post-pandemic era, sustainability—long an important topic for U.S. ports—moves to the forefront. As 2024 gets underway, leaders at U.S. ports view the concept of eco-friendly port operations as a vital element in nearly every aspect of operational decision-making. In short, sustainability is a primary focus. “It’s definitely at the top of the list,” says Eric Caris, director of cargo marketing for the Port of Los Angeles, which is at the forefront of national and international sustainability efforts with initiatives such as the world’s first transpacific green shipping corridor connecting Southern California with Shanghai. Other strategies for the new age in port leadership include increased collaboration among intermodal partners as well as other ports, plus ambitious infrastructure enhancements and greater use of digital tools to provide advanced visibility throughout the supply chain. SHARING GOALS In addition to the ports’ own sustainability objectives—which are consistent with White House initiatives to achieve climate-resilient supply chain infrastructures and operations— many shippers are likewise motivated to improve sustainability in their operations. The ports, therefore, seek to partner with their customers to bolster individual sustainability efforts. The move toward sustainability is not without challenges, however, notes Mike Bozza, assistant director of commercial development for the Port of New York and New Jersey. Specifically, it’s difficult to acquire sustainable equipment that operates with zero or low emissions. One example is battery-operated straddle carriers, which are used for container loading and unloading. Electric straddle carriers require scheduled charges, Bozza notes, causing the equipment to be temporarily out of service, which is not ideal. The technology for sustainable equipment is steadily improving, however.
agency is phasing out old equipment and requiring terminal operators to move to zero-emission material handling equipment as new models become commercially available. PARTNERING FOR PROGRESS The Port of Los Angeles continues to provide national and international leadership with its initiatives around green shipping corridors, which the U.S. State Department defines as “maritime routes that showcase low- and zero- emission lifecycle fuels and technologies with the ambition to achieve zero greenhouse gas emissions across all aspects of the corridor in support of sector-wide decarbonization no later than 2050.” In partnership with the Port of Long Beach, the Port of Los Angeles is working with the Port of Shanghai and the C40 Cities global network of mayors to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from cargo movements. One goal is to transition to zero-carbon-fueled ships by 2030. Collaboration with shipping lines is essential to the success of these initiatives. “Without shipping line participation, you have no green shipping corridor,” says Caris, adding that the fuels of the future must be made available in sufficient quantities to meet the needs of shipping lines.
The Port of New York and New Jersey, as well as other ports, is moving resolutely toward a more sustainable future. “We are working with our terminal operators and we’ve got our own net-zero roadmap,” Bozza says. The Port Authority’s goals include getting to net zero by 2050 as well as achieving a 50% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions for Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions between now and 2035. (Scope 1 refers to direct emissions from sources an entity owns or controls while Scope 2 means indirect emissions from purchased electricity, steam, heat, and cooling.) To accomplish these goals, “We’re doing things like solar installations and investing in electric vehicles for our light-duty and medium-duty fleet,” says Bozza. The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey has also announced a “green gateway” for goods as part of the agency’s overall commitment to reducing emissions from its own operations as well as its operating partners, including marine terminal operators, oceangoing vessel operators, railroads, and trucking companies. To date, 89 of the port’s 91 ship-to- shore and rail-mounted gantry cranes are electric, with a mandate for full electrification by 2026. Through a marine terminal tariff, the
The Port of Los Angeles ( opposite ) and the Port of New York and New Jersey ( above ) have both embraced “green shipping corridors” for goods as a way to reduce carbon emissions.
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