The Port of Long Beach, Long Beach, Calif., implemented new hydrogen- and electric-powered cargo handling equipment at two shipping terminals, in pursuit of its goal to become what is said to be the world’s first zero-emissions seaport.
 
The new equipment was purchased through a $5.3 million grant from the California Air Resources Board, Sacramento, Calif., as part of C-PORT (Commercialization of POLB Off-Road Technology Project). The Port has several ongoing clean-air technology demonstrations in partnership with labor, marine terminal operators and regulatory agencies.
 
“Today, you see some of the equipment with the potential to take us to the next level – zero emissions,” says Bonnie Lowenthal, president of Long Beach Harbor Commission. “The equipment, which will be operated by our longshore partners at the port, will help us reduce our impact on our neighborhoods and contribute to the port’s ability to increase trade.”
 
Five vehicles will be part of C-PORT—two battery-electric top handlers at SSA Marine’s Pacific Container Terminal at Pier J; and one fuel cell yard tractor, one battery-electric top handler and one battery-electric yard tractor at Long Beach Container Terminal at Pier E.
 
“Projects like these are designed to take us down the road to being the world’s first zero-emissions seaport,” says Mario Cordero, executive director. “We have our labor partners of the ILWU, our terminal operators SSA and LBCT and our regulatory agencies all working together to find the right technologies to reach our zero-emissions goals. With teamwork and cooperation like that, I think we can look forward to many more innovative projects to demonstrate new technologies.”