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Welcome to Clean Air Quarterly, a newsletter from the Port of Seattle, Port of Tacoma, and The Northwest Seaport Alliance (NWSA) sharing our clean air and climate efforts. Each issue of the newsletter showcases projects and milestones across our gateway, features a partner who is making a difference in our region, and highlights upcoming opportunities for engaging with the Ports, including bus tours, commission meetings, webinars, and events!
This will be our third Year in Review edition, covering our major sustainability successes of 2024 and some exciting projects on the horizon for 2025. The Ports made significant strides toward our ambitious climate goals of eliminating Scope 1 and 2 emissions by 2040 or sooner and eliminating all seaport-related emissions by 2050. We look forward to working with all of you to make these goals a reality. Onward and upward in 2025!
2024 was a busy year for clean air and climate projects at the Ports (and for this newsletter!). It was also another year filled with big firsts. Our teams work diligently identifying the right opportunities and thoughtfully developing projects before we can achieve many of the milestones we showcase here. The availability of new zero emissions technologies, and more commercially accessible, affordable, and tested tech is another critical component in the zero emissions transition. We have more firsts still to come, and we look forward to the next era, when established projects grow and mature and we will see the results of all the work, planning, partnerships, trials, tests and firsts manifest into a full zero emission future.
CARGO HANDLING EQUIPMENT (CHE)
In the past year, two separate terminals invested in cleaner, hybrid electric Rubber Tired Gantry Cranes (RTGs). Husky Terminal purchased and is operating four new hybrid RTGs and Terminal 5 has three new hybrid RTGs that arrived with the two new electric super post- panamax cranes added this year. RTGs are among the largest pieces of dock equipment and the transition from diesel to plug-in hybrid electric equipment will result in a substantial reduction in emissions.
The Port of Tacoma welcomed its first piece of zero emission cargo-handling equipment – an Orange EV electric yard tractor. This project builds on a partnership with Rail Management Services and others, which resulted in the successful deployment of six similar tractors at the South Intermodal (SIM) Yard. Demonstrating this technology with the smaller Port-owned fleets is a great way for us to gain first-hand knowledge of zero emission technologies and share lessons learned with other maritime partners.
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 DRAYAGE TRUCKS
Yet another first was the NWSA’s launch of the Zero Emission Drayage Incentive Program, which aims to provide funding and assistance to drayage providers in our gateway to kickstart the deployment of zero emission Class 8 trucks. The initial phase of the program, supported by Washington State Climate Commitment Act funding, has a competitive procurement process underway through which recipients of this first phase of incentive funding will be selected. Announcements are expected this spring.
Meanwhile, the NWSA continues its work with drayage service providers to phase out the use of pre-2007 trucks in the gateway. The Clean Truck Rule, which requires all trucks serving our international container terminals to have a 2007 or newer engine or a certified equivalent emission control system, will be enforced at the NWSA’s domestic terminals beginning January 1, 2026. These requirements reduce diesel particulate matter emissions by up to 90% per truck. To support truckers with this requirement, the NWSA is offering scrapping bonuses of up to $30,000 to drivers who still operate a pre-2007 engine truck at NWSA international or domestic container terminals. More information on the NWSA Truck Scrapping Program is available here.
All three of the maritime Green Corridors being pursued by the Ports hit new milestones in 2024. The Port of Seattle continues to collaborate with port, cruise line, and NGO partners on the Pacific Northwest to Alaska Green Corridor (PNW2AK). The ongoing feasibility study is being led by the Mærsk Mc-Kinney Møller Center for Zero Carbon Shipping. It will evaluate the demand, production, and availability of green methanol for use as a maritime fuel in the region, the increase of cruise ships able to run on green methanol, and the readiness for bunkering green methanol at the Port of Seattle. Results are expected in mid-2025. Project partners shared an update on progress and previewed the feasibility study in a webinar held in June. Listen to the recording here.
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The NWSA, along with the Ulsan Port Authority, shipping company Wallenius Willhelmsen and other partners, are continuing to collaborate on a Green Ro/Ro Shipping Corridor. The roll-on/roll-off green shipping corridor feasibility study is also being led by the Maersk Mc-Kinney Moller Centre for Zero Carbon Shipping and will assess the feasibility of deploying between four and eight green methanol powered Ro/Ro vessels in our gateway by 2028 or sooner. The feasibility study is proceeding in phases, focusing on different ports of call and associated fuel supply, demand, infrastructure, and bunkering capabilities. The final feasibility study is expected to be completed by the end of 2025.
The NWSA also continues to explore the development of a Green Container Ship Corridor between the Busan Port Authority in South Korea and the NWSA gateway of Seattle and Tacoma. Key partners include the Korean Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries, the Korean Register, two Korean ports (Busan Port Authority and Ulsan Port Authority), two shipping companies (HMM and Swire Shipping), several alternative fuel providers, and the Rocky Mountain Institute (RMI). Findings to date will be presented and discussed at the Our Oceans Conference in Busan in late April. The next phase of the study will be completed by the end of 2025.
Decades of planning reached fruition in 2024 with the completion of shore power at all cruise berths at the Port of Seattle. This significant milestone was achieved with the installation of shore power installation at the Bell Street Cruise Terminal at Pier 66 in October. In a further commitment to sustainability, the Port of Seattle became the first in the nation to require shore power usage by homeported cruise vessels, starting in the 2027 cruise season.
Construction of the second shore power berth is complete at the newly developed Terminal 5. This milestone makes Terminal 5 the first international cargo terminal in the state to be fully shore power capable.
The NWSA Managing Members also approved the next stages of two other projects: funding for Terminal 18 shore power final design and the initial funding authorization for Washington United Terminal (WUT) shore power. These steps put us on track to have shore power operational at all international cargo terminals by 2030.
PUGET SOUND MARITIME EMISSIONS INVENTORY (PSEI)
In June, we announced the 2021 Puget Sound Emissions Inventory (PSEI) results. The PSEI is conducted every five years, and the most recent inventory in 2021 came during an unusual year for the maritime industry in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. Notable in the 2021 PSEI was an 87% reduction in diesel particulate matter since the 2005 inventory and 30% reduction since the last inventory. We have also seen a 10% reduction in overall greenhouse gas emissions, which is important progress but below our desired outcome. The emission reductions also resulted from voluntary investments by the maritime industry and government agencies in cleaner engines, fuels and operational efficiency, as well as regulations that stipulated more stringent emission standards for new engines and cleaner fuels. These inventories illuminate for us and our partners where our strategies are effective and where we need to direct more investment and attention in the years to come.
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SUSTAINABLE MARITIME FUELS
In September we welcomed the Maersk Alette, which hit two significant milestones in one vessel call. At 16,592 TEUs, the Alette was not only the largest vessel ever to call the South Harbor, it was also the first dual-fuel green methanol vessel to call the gateway. Methanol is one of the alternative fuel options under consideration as carriers begin to make investments in lower-emission vessels. Ships like this mark tangible steps in the maritime industry to adopt clean fuel alternatives for shipping.
The Ports are working across the gateway to promote adoption of R-99 renewable diesel as a drop-in fuel for existing diesel engines and accelerate its deployment as an interim solution toward zero-emission seaport operations. Last year marked notable progress in this effort! In May 2024, the Port of Tacoma transitioned to the use of R-99 for its entire fleet. Additionally, Husky Terminal transitioned its fleet/equipment to R-99 sourcing. We could tell you more, but PetroCard, our RPP supplier and this year’s Environmental Stewardship Award Winner, is our partner profile for this edition! You can learn more about their product and how it supports port operations directly from the (clean fuel) source in the section below.
Tell us about PetroCard and renewable diesel?
PetroCard provides fuel and lubricant management solutions for commercial and municipal customers by providing unmatched access to commercial fuel “cardlock” stations, fuel cards, on-site mobile and bulk fuel delivery, and lubricants. PetroCard is a certified Minority Business Enterprise (MBE) based in Kent, WA and was recently chosen as the recipient for the Environmental Stewardship Award by the NWSA, as highlighted in the last issue of this newsletter.
Being committed to leading our customers to the future of fuels and lubricants means ensuring the transition matches or improves upon mobility, reliability, and productivity. This includes supporting customer fleets along their carbon reduction journey. Last year, to support the Port of Tacoma Commissioners’ initiative to reduce greenhouse gas emissions under the Port’s direct control to net zero by 2040, PetroCard began to supply the Port’s fleet with R-99. This allowed them to make immediate improvements with their existing fleet and reduce their emissions.
We have pushed to make renewable diesel widely available and cost-effective so that any customer can access it through full truck and trailer loads, tank wagon, deliveries, and truck-to-truck on-site mobile fueling. We offer this product at several of our fueling stations, including Harbor Island in Seattle, the first commercial fueling station in Washington state to feature R-99.
What is renewable diesel and what are the benefits of using R-99?
Renewable diesel is an alternative to conventional petroleum diesel (ULSD). Using renewable diesel can cut lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions up to 75% depending on what material it is made from. R-99 is made with renewable feedstocks and waste products that would otherwise be sent to a landfill. Renewable diesel has a higher cetane value than petroleum diesel which means it combusts more completely in an engine. This results in a substantial reduction in tailpipe pollution, such as particulate matter, nitrogen oxides, total hydrocarbons, and carbon monoxide.
Fleet managers who have added R-99 to their fuel slate credit the product with reducing diesel particulate filer regeneration cycles and reducing overall fleet maintenance costs.
A recent video published by the Port of Tacoma highlights the benefits of R-99 from an end user perspective and demonstrates how PetroCard has partnered with fleets to realize the benefits of this renewable alternative: https://www.portoftacoma.com/news/port-tacoma-switches-renewable-diesel
What has been the hesitation with fleets converting to R-99?
The biggest obstacle we see to acceptance is familiarity with the product. While various biofuel products have been in the market for quite some time, R-99 has only recently become more prevalent in the PNW with advances in carbon policy. Education has been a large focus for the PetroCard team. Renewable diesel is not the same as biodiesel and does not have the same limitations in blend ratios and other characteristics typically associated with biodiesel. Renewable diesel is produced in some of the same refinery processes as conventional diesel, resulting in a product that meets the same specifications as petroleum diesel. R-99 is also a more stable product; it will not take on water and the associated contaminants that contribute to a deterioration in fuel quality over time and during storage.
Finding sustainable solutions in the transportation industry isn’t easy. Do you have any suggestions on how a fleet can start making changes?
The great thing about renewable diesel is that it is a “right-now” solution. It’s a drop-in fuel that is fully compatible with all diesel engines which means no vehicle modifications are needed to switch. You can fuel R-99 with one fill and go back to ULSD the next. This is an important attribute as the availability and logistics channels for the product develop further.
R-99 is just one of the many solutions PetroCard offers to move a fleet towards more environmentally friendly alternatives that do not sacrifice performance or value. By moving away from petroleum and petroleum-based products, customers can seamlessly transition to more sustainable, biobased products while also benefiting from enhanced environmental and carbon reduction objectives.
Learn more about PetroCard here.
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