Port of LA expands zero- and near-zero emissions equipment testing

The Port of Los Angeles is moving forward with numerous air pollution reduction initiatives presented by a sustainable freight advisory committee, the Southern California port said Thursday.

   The Port of Los Angeles is expanding demonstration projects to test zero- and near-zero emission trucks and cargo handling equipment.
   The Southern California port said in a statement Thursday it is moving forward with numerous initiatives, including:
     • Testing zero emission top handlers. The port says it has secured state funding to test two battery-electric top handlers, the off-road heavy-duty equipment used to load and unload trucks hauling containers in and out of marine terminals. A $4.5 million grant from the California Energy Commission is also expected to fund testing of three next-generation yard tractors.
     • Expansion of zero emission drayage truck testing. The POLA has said it’s developing a pilot program to test 50 to 100 zero-emissions drayage trucks to better assess the requirements needed to transition to a 100 percent zero-emissions drayage truck fleet by 2035.
     • Coordinating the port industry to work with equipment manufacturers. Acting upon a recommendation by a freight advisory committee, the Port of LA will coordinate with multiple other ports to study the current and future availability of zero- and near-zero emission vehicles and equipment. Under this initiative, the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach are expected to rally their counterpart seaports across the U.S. to evaluate the demand for zero emission vehicles and equipment and work with manufacturers. The initiative will also pursue common environmental standards.
   Other strategies the port has said that it’s advancing based on the advisory committee’s recommendations include the opening a large near-dock “peel-off” yard, accelerating use of LED lights port-wide, and assessing opportunities to deploy zero- and near-zero emissions cargo handling equipment at all terminals.
   The 10-member freight advisory board, which was established by Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti and consists of industry labor, environmental, government and community leaders, recently completed a one-year assignment to recommend specific strategies for speeding up clean air progress at the nation’s busiest container port, while balancing its commercial and economic viability.
   All of the committee’s recommendations are detailed in a one-year summary report available on the POLA’s website.
   “The committee’s work is already shaping policy and strengthening current zero-emission demonstration projects at our terminals,” port Executive Director Gene Seroka said.
   According to the port, the advisory committee has already offered to continue working to monitor the progress of its recommendations and identify additional emission reduction strategies.