Environment: Hueneme, Northwest Port Alliance

Hueneme Shore Power Ribbon Cutting

Plugging into shore power
Photo/Port of Hueneme

The Port of Hueneme launched the second phase of its Grid-Connected Shore Power System with a ribbon cutting ceremony on May 3. By plugging in, refrigerated cargo vessels calling the port can shut down their auxiliary marine engines and operate on shore power in lieu of diesel fuel.

The project "represents a giant leap forward for the port and the community" said Port CEO and Director Kristin Decas. "Over the [30-year] lifetime of this project, annual emissions from refrigerated cargo vessels also known as 'reefer vessels' will be significantly reduced."

Anticipated environmental benefits are reductions of PM by 92 percent, NOx by 98 percent and greenhouse gasses by 55 percent.

Phase I, which went online in April 2014, has been successfully used by ships from such companies as Del Monte and Hamburg Süd.

Financial contributors include the Ventura County Transportation Commission; the California Air Resources Board with proposition 1b funding; the Ventura County Air Quality Control District, providing grants for engineering; and Wells Fargo and Commercial Clearing House with a cash infusion from the port’s New Market Tax Credit transaction.

Phase II Shore Power ribbon cutting. From left: Port Commission Vice President Arlene Fraser, CEO Kristin Decas, Congresswoman Julia Brownley, Commissioner Jess Herrera, Supervisor Kathy Long and Ventura County Transportation Commission Chairman Keith Millhouse.
Photo/Port of Hueneme

Northwest Seaport Alliance joins Green Marine

The Northwest Seaport Alliance has enrolled in Green Marine, a voluntary environmental certification program for the North American maritime industry.

Green Marine encourages participants—ship owners, ports and terminals—to reduce their environmental footprints related to air quality, greenhouse gases, spill prevention, stormwater treatment, noise and other community impacts.

"Before forming The Northwest Seaport Alliance, the ports of Seattle and Tacoma worked closely together on environmental initiatives—along with our Northwest Ports Clean Air Strategy partner, Vancouver Fraser Port Authority," said Jason Jordan, director of the alliance’s environmental and planning team.

"Becoming a member of Green Marine enhances our ability to exchange information about environmental programs and successes with an even larger marine community."

More than 100 port authorities, terminal operators, ship owners and shipyards in Canada and the United States are enrolled in the program. In October 2013, Green Marine and AAPA signed a Memorandum of Understanding for the purpose of advancing the environmental sustainability of port and terminal operators.

"Green Marine aims at continuously improving the environmental performance of its participants and the joining of a leader in sustainable development such as The Northwest Seaport Alliance reinforces the principle that has guided the program from day one, which is of always raising the bar higher," said Green Marine Executive Director David Bolduc. "We are also delighted to see how the Pacific Northwest marine industry is responding positively to the Green Marine certification, especially since our U.S. office is located in Seattle."