Port of Oakland gets US$277,885 to upgrade cargo-handling equipment and reduce exhaust emissions
The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has awarded the Port of Oakland US$277,885 to upgrade cargo-handling equipment and reduce exhaust emissions on the waterfront.
These funds will be used at TraPac marine terminal, one of five terminals operating in Oakland, which will use the funds to upgrade four rubber-tired gantry cranes and a top-pick. They will be re-engineered with clean diesel engines or exhaust filters.
“These reductions represent another great step towards our progress in meeting the Port’s goal of reducing health risk related to diesel particulate matter emissions by 85%,” said Richard Sinkoff, director of environmental programs and planning at the port.
Apparently, these retrofits and upgrades will result in significant emissions reductions for the terminal including a 94% reduction in carbon monoxide, 92% reduction in oxides of nitrogen, 44% reduction in diesel particulate matter and 41% reduction in hydrocarbons.
The Port said it contacted all four terminal operating companies in Oakland about pursuing the environmental grant. Several expressed interest, but ultimately TraPac stepped forward.
This upgrade project is scheduled to be completed by December 2016.
The upgrade of its cargo handling equipment fits in with the Port of Oakland’s green strategy quite well. The port has also created a task force to help it become more efficient and get cargo moving more quickly.
Its purpose is to help put an end to vessel backlogs forcing some ships to temporarily anchor in San Francisco Bay, instead of berthing.
