Shore power shines as ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach announce Clean Air Action Plan Awards

The decisive role one of Cavotec's benchmark technologies, Alternative Maritime Power (AMP), plays in improving air quality in ports and surrounding communities was highlighted recently as the ports of Los Angeles (POLA) and Long Beach (POLB) announced the fifth annual Clean Air Action Awards.

Six companies were awarded by the ports for their efforts at reducing air pollution, with three of the six receiving commendations primarily for their use of shore power - a technology Cavotec and its partners have played a vital role in developing at both ports.

Companies cited specifically for their use of shore power were global shipping lines APL and Matson Navigation Company, and energy major BP. 

Shore power systems enable vessels to switch off their engines while moored and to connect to shore side electricity. Services such as power supply for refrigerated containers, lighting, communication, heating, food preparation and cargo handling are then run directly from the port. 

The judging panel praised APL for introducing a range of initiatives and targets designed to optimise its environmental performance, such as powering its vessels with low-sulfur fuel, and for being "an industry leader in using shore power to cut its at-berth emissions."

BP's tanker facility at POLB is the only berth of its kind in the world to offer ships shore power connection, a project on which Cavotec engineers were closely involved. According to the ports' statement, in 2011, emissions of nitrogen oxides at the berth were cut by 56,700 pounds, sulfur oxides by 1,000 pounds, and particulate matter by 2,100 pounds.

Matson container ships regularly use shore power at their Long Beach berths, and last year the company commissioned five vessels fitted with shore power systems.

The other three winners were SA Recycling, for improvements made to its facilities; Harley Marine Services, for, among other initiatives, installing energy efficient engines on its tugs; and Pacific Harbor Line for "replacing the engines in 16 of its locomotives with the cleanest available diesel technology."

In a statement, POLB Executive Director J. Christopher Lytle said: “We’re delighted to honor these companies for taking the time and effort to successfully reduce their environmental impacts through leadership and quick action.”

According to POLA Executive Director Geraldine Knatz, the measures are having a genuine impact on environmental standards: “We continue to see significant year-over-year pollution reductions at the port complex.”

Cavotec has worked with both POLA and POLB on developing innovative shore power technologies for many years. In the latest phase of this process, we are currently supplying a large number of AMP systems to POLB and the Port of Oakland.

Our naval architects have pioneered several AMP solutions including ship-based systems housed in shipping containers, land-based vault versions and even fully mobile units. 

Cavotec’s shore power systems are increasingly widely used at ports on the US west coast, as well as in Canada, Europe and the Far East. The first AMP system became operational at Sweden’s Port of Gothenburg in 1984.