Tacoma Port starts fee-free clean truck programme

AS part of ongoing efforts to reduce diesel emissions in the Puget Sound region, the Port of Tacoma Commission has authorised a new, fee-free, market-based programme to cut polluting emissions from trucks that serve the port, following the voluntary environmental stewardship of ocean carriers.

Our customers and business partners have worked with port staff and our clean air authorities to develop comprehensive and market-led approaches to environmental stewardship,said Port of Tacoma commission president Clare Petrich. Their decisions to voluntarily participate in these efforts are voluntary and they come at a cost. But they recognise that today that environmental stewardship makes good sense and is good business.

The commission has recognised Tacoma ocean carrier customers Evergreen, KLine, Maersk and Horizon for voluntarily switching to cleaner-burning low sulphur distillate fuel at berth. Use of the cleaner fuel reduces sulphur dioxide emissions by up to 80 per cent and cuts diesel particulates by 70 per cent, a statement from port authorities said.

Reducing diesel emissions from ocean-going vessels is a key component of the Northwest Ports Clean Air Strategy, adopted in 2007 by the Port of Tacoma, Port of Seattle and Port Metro Vancouver (Canada). The strategy sets performance goals to reduce diesel emissions and greenhouse gases from ships, rail, cargo-handling equipment, harbour craft and trucks.

With heavy duty trucks representing one per cent of maritime industry diesel emissions at the Port of Tacoma, the Port Commission has also recently authorised a market-based programme to reduce over-the-road emissions.

The Port of Tacoma Truck Emissions Improvement Programme is designed to improve air quality, increase gate efficiency and be environmentally sustainable. The programme, which is fee-free, was developed collaboratively with the trucking industry and other port customers.

According to a 2008 Port of Tacoma truck fleet study, 86 per cent of the heavy duty drayage trucks serving the port meet the 2010 emission standards. However, port authorities aim to encourage the remaining 14 per cent to modernise their vehicles.

To achieve this the port will promote companies that meet set fleet modernisation goals; partner with public and private organisations to identify funding opportunities and options for fleet modernisation; work with customers to improve terminal gate operations; establish a system to track the progress of the programme towards meeting 2010 and 2015 truck emission goals; and continue partnering with the Port of Seattle to implement common aspects of each port's truck programme and coordinate efforts to expedite transportation infrastructure improvements.

 

Source: Schednet