THE Port of Long Beach (POLB) will use a US$5.3 million grant from the California Air Resources Board (CARB) to deploy hydrogen- and electric-powered cargo handling equipment at two shipping terminals as part of its commitment to zero-emissions operations policy.
The funds for the Commercialisation of POLB Off-Road Technology Demonstration Project (CPORT) leverage the Port of Long Beach as what will be dubbed America's second busiest seaport to test the viability of zero-emissions vehicles used on the docks.
The demonstration project is part of California Climate Investments, a statewide initiative designed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
The demonstration will include three cargo-moving vehicles known as 'top handlers' with never before tested battery-electric systems. The project also involves a comparison of hydrogen fuel cell versus battery-electric technology in yard trucks.
In total, five vehicles will be demonstrated - 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.
'The progress we've made in reducing pollution is a model for seaports everywhere, with dieselemissions alone down almost 90 per cent since we adopted the Clean Air Action Plan in 2005,' said Harbour Commission president Lou Anne Bynum.
'Still, we are not satisfied. This equipment will further contribute to a cleaner environment for our neighbouring communities,' she said.
The funds for the Commercialisation of POLB Off-Road Technology Demonstration Project (CPORT) leverage the Port of Long Beach as what will be dubbed America's second busiest seaport to test the viability of zero-emissions vehicles used on the docks.
The demonstration project is part of California Climate Investments, a statewide initiative designed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
The demonstration will include three cargo-moving vehicles known as 'top handlers' with never before tested battery-electric systems. The project also involves a comparison of hydrogen fuel cell versus battery-electric technology in yard trucks.
In total, five vehicles will be demonstrated - 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.
'The progress we've made in reducing pollution is a model for seaports everywhere, with dieselemissions alone down almost 90 per cent since we adopted the Clean Air Action Plan in 2005,' said Harbour Commission president Lou Anne Bynum.
'Still, we are not satisfied. This equipment will further contribute to a cleaner environment for our neighbouring communities,' she said.