TIGER grant for Hueneme

Hueneme’s intermodal improvement project will allow for larger-capacity vessels, increased cold storage and cargo handling capability supporting anticipated increases of agricultural imports and exports. It also includes plans for an on-dock rail to enable more efficient transfer of cargo by environmentally-friendly trains.

Kristin Decas, port director, said: “This grant creates a catalyst for our future and promises to be a very big game changer for the port in terms of retaining our great customer base, building new opportunities, creating jobs and advancing environmental and energy efficiency priorities.”

The new port project integrates with the port’s phase II shoreside power investments which aim to improve air quality and reduce berthed diesel fuel consumption by 67,458 gallons per year. Emissions reductions over the lifetime of the shore power project include a 92% decrease in particulate matter, 98% decrease in NOx and 55% decrease in CO2.

To balance the new water-side capacity and maximise the terminal’s utilisation, the existing cold storage sheds adjacent to the wharf will be upgraded with efficient climate control, lighting and state-of-the-art perishable cargo treatment facilities.

Solar panel arrays will provide power to the facility and other port systems which will help provide 250kW of energy.

The final portion of the intermodal improvement project will include the extension of the port’s rail spur to allow for on-terminal railcar loading as well as support liquid bulk transfer.

This rail spur expansion allows for a 24% reduction in truck volume for total liquid bulk imports further helping to support cargo transport, reduce noise pollution and enhance air quality.