Port joins H2 partnership

The Alliance for Renewable Clean Hydrogen Energy Systems (ARCHES) will bid for a hydrogen hub under the US Department of Energy’s Regional Clean Hydrogen Hubs (H2Hubs) programme. Funded by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, H2Hubs will be one of the largest investments in the history of the Department of Energy.

The Port of Long Beach has set a goal of all zero-emissions cargo-handling equipment by 2030 and a zero-emissions drayage truck fleet by 2035. Last month it announced that a trucking company partner will convert to fully emissions-free by 2025 – a full decade before the goal.

Today, about 17% of the cargo-handling equipment at the port is electric-powered, the largest such fleet in the US. The port has also committed US$150 million to support zero and near-zero emissions demonstration projects inside the port and on Southern California roads.

“Establishment of a hydrogen hub in California would support achieving our zero emission goals,” said Port of Long Beach executive director, Mario Cordero.

“With US$8 billion in federal funding available, we want to ensure we have as much leverage as possible to see that our fair share comes to California, and specifically to the ports.”