US ports detail investment plans following US$ 2.9bn Clean Ports Program awards

The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has selected winners of its $2.9 billion Clean Ports Program, allocating millions of dollars to ports across the country to electrify their equipment and reduce emissions. A total of 55 applications were selected, including 30 awarded under the Climate and Air Quality Planning (CAQP) Competition, which received US$ 60m, while the remaining 25 applications from the Zero-Emission Technology Deployment (ZE Tech) Competition secured US$ 2.8 billion in grant funding.

The project selection has been described by the International Longshoremen’s Association (ILA) as a major win for union jobs, given that a key provision for ports to receive funding for new zero-emission port equipment and infrastructure was that the EPA would only fund “human-operated and human-maintained” equipment.

“To advocate on behalf of ILA longshore workers that new zero-emission equipment being introduced at U.S. ports must be ‘human-operated and human-maintained’ is a big win for the union and its members,” the ILA said.

Ports outline their plans

The Port of Baltimore, which faced significant operational challenges following the collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge in March 2024, has received substantial support through the Clean Ports Program. President Biden and Maryland Governor Wes Moore were present at the Dundalk Marine Terminal to announce that the port will receive over US$ 147m to further its decarbonisation and electrification efforts.

“The grant will help the Maryland Port Administration and our partners—Wallenius Wilhelmsen, SSA Marine, Ports America Chesapeake, Capital Logistics, C. Steinweg Group, and CALSTART—acquire 213 zero-emission vehicles and equipment, as well as install new charging infrastructure,” the port authority said. “These efforts will help reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 35% from 2020 levels and will directly benefit our adjacent disadvantaged and underserved communities.”

As WorldCargo News reported recently, Dundalk Terminal is also getting a financial boost to upgrade its Berth 11. The US$ 31m grant from the US Department of Transportation, awarded through the Infrastructure for Rebuilding America Grant Program (INFRA), is part of ongoing efforts to enhance port infrastructure.

The biggest winner of the program is the Port of Los Angeles, which has secured a massive US$ 412m grant to support the zero-emission (ZE) transition at the port. The port said that together with its private sector partners it will match the EPA grant with an additional US$ 236m, bringing the total new investment in ZE programs at the Port of Los Angeles to US$ 644m. The new funding will go toward purchasing nearly 425 pieces of battery electric, “human-operated” ZE cargo-handling equipment, installing 300 new ZE charging ports and other related infrastructure, and deploying 250 ZE drayage trucks.

Among the notable recipients, the Port of Oakland has been awarded US$ 322m which will be used to finance 663 pieces of zero-emissions equipment, including 475 drayage trucks and 188 pieces of cargo handling machinery.

“This federal grant is a giant leap toward reaching our goal of achieving zero-emissions operations at the Oakland Seaport. We are grateful for the continued advocacy for green technology, and we thank our community, labour, regulatory, and elected partners who played a vital role in supporting this major decarbonization initiative,” Danny Wan, Executive Director of the Port of Oakland, said.

The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey will receive US$ 347 m in federal funding. The majority of the funds will enable the port authority and its operational partners, including terminal operators and truckers, to intensify ongoing sustainability efforts. This includes purchasing zero-emission cargo handling equipment and installing shore power capabilities, allowing ships to shut off their engines while berthed and significantly reducing emissions, the port said.

“This extraordinary EPA funding will allow us to accelerate the deployment of zero-emission equipment across our port facilities,” said Rick Cotton, Executive Director of the Port Authority. “This award is a crucial step forward in our commitment to sustainability and will help us meet the Agency’s net-zero emissions goal by 2050. We are grateful for the EPA’s partnership as the Port Authority continues our aggressive pursuit of our climate agenda.”

Meanwhile, the Port of Vancouver USA has secured a US$22.5 m grant from the EPA.”While the Port of Vancouver USA has been making strides to carry out our Climate Action Plan, this grant award represents a huge leap forward,” stated Julianna Marler, CEO of the Port of Vancouver USA. ”

The Port of Vancouver USA plans to invest US$ 2.5m alongside the grant to enhance its operations. This includes purchasing two electric Liebherr mobile harbour cranes to replace diesel models, to move 80-meter wind blades, steel and aluminum, and other high and heavy cargo. The port will also install charging infrastructure for the new cranes via electric cable and battery and implement shore power at Terminal 1, allowing vessels to connect to electrical sources while docked.