Trailer Bridge joins EPA SmartWay program

Trailer Bridge joins EPA SmartWay program The Puerto Rico trade specialist Trailer Bridge said Thursday it has joined the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's SmartWay Transport Partnership, a program designed to work with freight carriers from several transport modes to reduce greenhouse gases and overall air pollution.
   'Joining the SmartWay Transport Partnership fits with the much cleaner environmental footprint we offer shippers for freight moving from the mainland to Puerto Rico,' Trailer Bridge chairman and CEO John McCown said. 'While not currently a component of the SmartWay program, the greater fuel efficiency and much cleaner fuel associated with our tug/barge vessels translate to four to six times fewer emissions per cargo unit compared with the self-propelled vessels now serving Puerto Rico. Trailer Bridge's customer relationships are often driven by our more cost-efficient transportation system, but this environmental edge is becoming increasingly important for companies concerned about their environmental footprint. In the future, I expect that shippers who are members of the SmartWay Transport Partnership will be able to take credit for the superior environmental performance of Trailer Bridge's trucking and vessel operations.'
   The SmartWay program includes major shippers as well as carriers and logistics services companies. Shippers who participate in the program commit to move at least 50 percent of their freight with carriers who are program members.
   Most of the participants are trucking companies, but the program also includes rail carriers and some ocean carriers. Trailer Bridge said it will work to develop the marine category by participating in EPA-sponsored workshops, and measuring the environmental performance of its vessels.
   In addition, Trailer Bridge has committed to measure the environmental performance of its tractor trucks, and identify goals to improve the environmental performance of its trucks.
   Trailer Bridge will encourage shippers to participate in the program, and track its performance in meeting all of its goals.
   Information on the SmartWay program is available at www.epa.gov/smartway.