Northwest Ports adopt plans to phase out maritime emissions

The ports of Seattle, Tacoma, and the combined container operations of The Northwest Seaport Alliance (NWSA) have adopted near-term implementation plans that guide emission reduction efforts for seaport-related activities. The Northwest Ports Clean Air Strategy covers six sectors of port activity: oceangoing vessels, cargo-handling equipment, trucks, harbor vessels, rail, and port administration and tenant facilities. The recently adopted implementation plans direct changes in equipment, fuels, and infrastructure to fulfill the ports’ voluntary commitment to the Clean Air Strategy’s vision of phasing out seaport-related emissions by 2050 to support cleaner air for local communities.

The Port of Seattle adopted the Charting the Course to Zero: Port of Seattle's Maritime Climate and Air Action Plan on November 16. The Action plan identifies strategies through 2030 to halve greenhouse gas emissions, including commitments to:
“Each of our ports plans were developed in close collaboration with government, industry, and community stakeholders whose engagement strengthened and increased the viability of the Ports’ commitments.” said Fred Felleman, Port of Seattle Commission President and Co-Chair of The Northwest Seaport Alliance. “We are starting today so that we can meet our carbon reduction commitments for decades to come and will continue to seek state, federal and private resources to increase our competitiveness as a green gateway.”

• Complete the Seattle Waterfront Clean Energy Strategy to plan for the transition to zero-emissions equipment, locomotives, vehicles, vessels, and buildings along the waterfront
• Install shore power infrastructure at all cruise ship berths and achieve a 100% connection rate for homeport cruise ship calls
• Phase-out fossil natural gas in Port-owned buildings and transition all Port-owned light-duty fleet vehicles to electric or renewable fuels