Freight hauler tackles cleaner cargo handling

Impact Transportation is buying nine new forklifts plus a yard tractor, which will run on either propane or diesel fuel and operate with Tier 4F engines which meet the US Environmental Protection Agency’s diesel exhaust restrictions.

“We comply with all local, state and federal regulations,” said Impact Transportation president Ron Cancilla. “But we’re also doing this for the health and safety of our employees, our closest Oakland neighbors and the entire Port community.”

Air quality improvement

The company’s equipment upgrades could have a measurable impact on Oakland air quality, officials at the California-based port said. Impact handles more than 100,000 teu’s worth of cargo annually at its port facility.

GSC Logistics, another trucking firm based at the port, has just received its first battery-powered truck for a three-year trial.

Diesel emissions from Oakland cargo-handling operations have already declined 82% since 2005, the port said.

It traced the improvement to its clean air strategy, which includes equipment upgrades by tenants.

The port said that with help from freight-haulers and marine terminals it expects diesel emissions to reduce a further 16% by 2020.