The Northwest Seaport Alliance (NWSA) will acquire electrical cargo handling equipment as an effort for further environmental sustainability.
The managing members of the NWSA have approved US$560,000 for the installation of the Electric Yard Trucks to the Port of Tacoma, while the terminal tractors will be purchased by Rail Management Services.
Welcoming the new zero-emission technology, Port of Tacoma Commission President and Managing Member of the NWSA, Dick Marzano stated that “this is just the beginning of showing the longstanding operational and environmental benefits of electric yard trucks within the US gateway”.
The six zero-emission electric yard trucks will reduce greenhouse gas emissions tons by 260%. They are also cheaper to operate than traditional diesel trucks and having fewer maintenance needs due to fewer moving parts, according to a statement.
In 2020, NWSA, the marine cargo operating partnership of the ports of Seattle and Tacoma, was awarded a US$780,000 Defence Evaluation and Research Agency (DERA) grant and accepted US$130,000 in Tacoma Power’s Cargo/Material Handler Equipment incentive funding to bring six electric terminal tractors to Tacoma’s South Intermodal Yard.
Earlier this year, NWSA adopted the updated Northwest Ports Clean Air Strategy, with the vision to eliminate emissions from seaport activities by 2050.
Achieving this target will involve adopting zero-emission technology across various parts of the supply chain.
