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Fleet Owners/Terminal Operators
What You Can Do
As terminal operators, managers, owners of cargo handling fleets, you are the key in the seamless flow of cargo that drives a successful port. As equipment owners and operators, there are many ways to reduce diesel emissions while maintaining or growing a healthy bottom line. EPA and the National Association of Waterfront Employers (NAWE) have formed a partnership that aims to improve the air quality at ports by reducing diesel emissions.
What Terminal Operators/Terminal Managers Can Do
- Take steps to retrofit existing equipment with pollution controls and verified technology
- Replace the oldest equipment/vehicles with newer, cleaner equipment/vehicles
- Expand operating hours for off-peak operations to avoid congestion
- Substitute electric power for diesel power
- Adopt anti-idling policies
- Educate owners/operators and recognize those who reduce idling time
- Keep equipment/vehicles well maintained.
- Substitute a highway engine manufactured to stricter emissions standards for a non-road engine
- Implement IT for operational efficiency
Take steps to retrofit existing equipment with pollution controls and verified technology
EPA encourages the use of retrofit devices, equipment or engine replacement, cleaner fuels, and operational improvement, which have been tested and verified to drastically reduce diesel emissions. These technologies are cost-effective and yield substantial reductions. See the Technologies page for a comprehensive summary of options. Visit the Clean Diesel Grants and Funding pages for available grants and the SmartWay Clean Diesel Finance Program for innovative financing programs.
In 2010, EPA recognized the first hybrid Rubber Tire Gantry (RTG) crane and the only battery assisted hybrid cranes that are installed in North America. RTGs are cranes used to lift and move shipping containers within a port facility. The Eco-Crane system (hybrid- battery/diesel power plants) were installed on RTGs on existing systems at Vanterm and Delta Port in the Port of Vancouver. The system demonstrated 70 percent fuel reduction measured in operation and an emission reduction between 65 percent and 80 percent, depending on the crane. Port of Long Beach is installing a new prototype Eco-Crane design for DC motor RTG applications at the Long Beach Container Terminal. Also, the company has signed a contract with an OEM of cranes used in rail yards. Now, they are in the process to be installed on the first hybrid crane that will be used in a rail yard.
Replace the oldest equipment/vehicles with newer, cleaner equipment/vehicles
Replacing older equipment or vehicles with newer, cleaner equipment/vehicles offers increased reliability, warranty benefits and often increases fuel economy and includes safety features.
Expand operating hours for off-peak operations to avoid congestion
By extending terminal gate hours beyond the regular schedule or offering incentives for off-peak operations, truck queuing, idling, and traffic congestion are shortened. Not only does this increase flow and efficiency, but allows for equipment use during off-peak ozone hours.Substitute electric power for diesel power
Using electric shore side power at berth rather than running auxiliary diesel engines is effective for ports and vessels that have long hoteling times, multiple annual vessel calls, and high auxiliary power needs, such as cruise ships.
Adopt anti-idling policies
Shutting off the engine of diesel equipment or vehicles when not in use is the smartest and easiest way to reduce air pollution and save money. Not only does unnecessary idling waste fuel, but it causes wear and tear on the engine which requires more maintenance. By adopting an anti-idling policy for trucks, locomotives or cargo handling equipment, you can effectively reduce diesel emissions at the ports. Information on strategies to reduce idling for trucks and locomotives can be found at: SmartWay Idling Reduction.
Educate owners/operators and recognize those who reduce idling time
Guidance and education on air quality, air pollutants, technologies and ways to implement emissions reduction strategies not only increases awareness but also increases the opportunities available to reduce emissions. Also recognizing active participants who do not idle the engine encourages more voluntary idle reduction. EPA offers educational and outreach material.
Keep equipment/vehicles well maintained
Engines that are properly maintained and tuned perform better and typically emit less pollution than engines that are not properly maintained. Rebuilding an engine as a strategy for emissions reduction can also significantly lower emissions, run more efficiently and be cost effective for high value equipment. Proper maintenance or rebuilding lowers emissions by burning fuel more efficiently and can reduce operation costs and extend engine life.
Substitute a highway engine manufactured to stricter emissions standards for a non-road engine
For comparable model years, engine emissions standards are more stringent for on-road engines than for nonroad engines. By specifying on-road engines in off-road machinery, a terminal operator can reduce diesel emissions while often gaining fuel economy and more safety features.
Implement IT for operational efficiency
Better IT management in stacking practices, homeland security changes, identification cards, direct inter-modal transfers for reduced container movement, and gate operations increase operational efficiency, decrease unnecessary idling, and reduce pollution. For more information on operational and technology strategies, visit the Technologies page.