Americas News
Port of Oakland in Shore Side Power Milestone
The Port of Oakland says it has reached "another milestone" in its shore power program with German shipper Hapag-Lloyd after the successful completion of a final test of the shore-to-ship connection.
The port said that during the summer, Hapag-Lloyd had conducted an initial test of the shore connection system on their vessel, Dallas Express, and this final test was conducted successfully at the Port’s Oakland International Container Terminal on December 1, 2012.
"The Port of Oakland’s Shore Power Program is currently estimated to cost approximately $70 million," said Port Acting Executive Director Deborah Ale Flint.
"This significant financial commitment demonstrates the Port’s environmental leadership and overall commitment toward improving air quality."
"We thank Hapag-Lloyd because their commitment and efforts made this shore power project possible."
The port explained that to meet the California Air Resources Board (CARB) regulation for "vessels at berth," one-half of a fleet’s vessel calls at California ports will be required to use shore power beginning in 2014, and 80 percent of a fleet’s visits must be shore powered visits by 2020.
"Shore power reduces greenhouse and other combustion byproducts," the Port said.
"These reductions in emissions significantly improve air quality and reduce health risk from diesel and other air pollutant emissions near the Port, consistent with the Port’s Maritime Air Quality Improvement Plan."
Last month NYK Line's NYK Apollo became the first Japanese shipping company to use the Port of Oakland's shore-side electric power supply, which it said eliminated virtually all air pollution emissions during the ship's port call.
