New electric yard tractors for Long Beach

The deployment – the largest of its kind on the West Coast – was led by terminal operator SSA Terminals, funded in part by a US$50 million grant from the California Air Resources Board for the Sustainable Terminals Accelerating Regional Transformation (START) project.

“Meeting our aggressive zero-emissions goals is not possible without the support of our partners, and this project is just another example of the shared commitment at the Port of Long Beach to a zero-emissions future,” said Port of Long Beach chief executive Mario Cordero.

“I’d especially like to thank SSA Terminals for leading zero-emissions efforts at Pier C, Southern California Edison for prioritising zero-emissions infrastructure projects and CARB for the funding to make these types of projects possible.”

The port authority says that the new machines increase the percentage of zero-emissions equipment to approximately 20% and hastens Pier C’s progress toward zero-emissions operations.

“This project is exciting, and we commend all parties involved for balancing the need for zero-emissions technology and infrastructure while bolstering the efficient movement of cargo by the hardworking dockworkers,” said Long Beach Harbor Commission vice president Bonnie Lowenthal.