USD$3m for Hueneme zero emissions project

Equipment including two electric yard trucks funded through the grant will enable the California port’s private customers to transport their cargo from the ship to the shore without any emissions to reduce air pollution and the port’s environmental footprint.

Kristin Decas, CEO & port director, commented: “The projects funded by this grant will lay the foundation for the next phase of green infrastructure and equipment at the Port, which will support electric cranes, electric cargo handling equipment, and a hydrogen-fuel-cell truck dedicated to moving our customer’s fresh produce to the market place.”

On-dock charging

In addition to the two electric yard trucks, the port’s project will include the infrastructure to make charging electric cargo handling equipment feasible on-dock.

Dona Toteva Lacayo, the port’s chief commercial and public affairs officer, stated that the port “is currently in discussion with several different potential vendors for the electric trucks and we are monitoring the progress of other pilot projects that are currently underway with such technology.”

The project was a part of a joint application with the Port of Los Angeles for the statewide Zero- and Near Zero- Emission Freight Facilities (ZANZEFF) grant solicitation. The Port of Hueneme will provide a USD$200,000 match to the grant funding for a total project cost of USD$3.2m.

Jess Ramirez, secretary of the Oxnard Harbor District, said: “As a generator of over 13,600 jobs, the Port can continue to reduce air emissions even further and transition to zero-emission handling equipment, all while creating jobs and enhancing the level of service we provide to our customers at the Port of Hueneme.”