Cargo handling facility Long Beach Container Terminal (LBCT) has released a report outlining the progress made in 2024 toward its 2030 net zero goal. In particular, it highlights the terminal’s range of on-site additions such as more electric ship-to-shore and rail cranes, a zero-emission terminal truck fleet and a second battery charging and exchange building.
Prioritizing sustainability
In the near term, LBCT’s net zero infrastructure transition plan will include additional clean-energy efforts such as more electric charging stations, clean power generation and storage, and working with the Port of Long Beach to advance its Clean Air Action Plan and help influence other industries to decarbonize operations.
To date, LBCT’s more than US$2.5bn, 15-year effort to convert its cranes and cargo handling vehicles to zero-emission electric has already resulted in an 86% reduction in greenhouse gas and criteria pollutant emissions, while quadrupling LBCT’s cargo handling capacity. Additionally, LBCT’s progress recently earned the company a 96% score from the international ESG ranking organization GRESB, placing it first among peer container ports.
LBCT’s 2024 Net Zero Progress Report outlines a range of milestones the port has completed to reduce emissions while increasing efficiencies. It also details the continuing public and private investments required to complete the infrastructure transition and become the nation’s first net zero terminal.
“LBCT remains an attractive choice for shippers because we have incorporated clean energy technologies while continuing to have the fastest truck turn times, shortest vessel berth stays and shortest rail dwell times of any terminal in San Pedro Bay,” said Anthony Otto, CEO of LBCT. “We continue to meet or exceed emission regulations, promote safety and create climate resiliency because of the incredible collaborative effort among our workers, the community, our elected officials and our shipping customers and partners.”
Community effort
Otto added that another important element of LBCT’s sustainability objectives is the continued promotion of well paying jobs with local labor. The company is also reinvesting in the greater Long Beach community with programs and projects that benefit youth with job training, assist the area’s underserved communities and improve the general environmental conditions of the region.
“LBCT cultivates trust among labor partners, with a commitment to training and upskilling the workforce to prepare for a zero-emission future,” said Tommy Faavae, business development manager of IBEW Local 11. “LBCT ensures that any new zero-emission terminal equipment funded in collaboration with the federal government is human-operated and built by American manufacturers.”
Joe Lyou, president and CEO of the Coalition for Clean Air, added, “LBCT continues to use onshore power for docked ships, is beginning to welcome OOCL’s greener ships – the Bauhinia and the Sunflower – and aggressively continues to serve as a model for clean terminal operations in the San Pedro Bay port complex and beyond.”
In related news, automated container terminal APM Terminals Maasvlakte II and hands-free charging solution provider Rocsys recently partnered to deploy hands-free charging at Maasvlakte II in the Port of Rotterdam. Click here to read the full story.