How will we reach zero?
See how our programs are driving change
Clean Trucks
NWSA’s long-standing Clean Truck Program has invested more than $15 million in matching funds to encourage conversion to cleaner trucks and gate infrastructure.
Scrap & Replace
In the past decade the Clean Truck Program has scrapped more than 450 old diesel trucks and replaced them with modern trucks.
RFID Program
As of Jan 1, 2019, all trucks serving NWSA’s international container terminals must have an active RFID tag and a 2007 or newer model engine (with few exceptions). This regulation reduces diesel particulate matter emissions by up to 90% per truck.
Zero Emission Drayage Trucks
We are in the process of implementing projects that will bring zero-emission drayage trucks and infrastructure to our gateway. With an influx of federal and state grant support, we hope to have the first zero-emission trucks on the road in the NWSA gateway in 2025.
Clean Vessels
Ocean Going Vessels are the largest contributor to seaport emissions. As such, strategies to reduce OGV emissions can have a big impact to reduce port contributions to air emissions and climate change.
Shore Power at Cruise Terminals
Shore power enables ocean going vessels to connect to the landside electrical grid to power onboard energy needs while at berth. Establishing a shore power connection allows a cruise ship to turn off its auxilliary diesel enginges, nearly eliminating air pollution for the duration of the connection. The Port of Seattle has three cruise berths and all three offer shore power.
Two berths at Terminal 91 have had shore power connections since 2009 – the first port in the world to offer two shore power connections for cruise! THe port completed the installation of shore power at Pier 66 in the summer of 2024.
In June 2024, Port Commission passed a Shore Power Order to require all homeport cruise ships to be shore power-equipped and plug in by 2027.
Shore Power at Marine Terminals
Shore power enables ocean going vessels to utilize land-side energy to power its demands while at berth. We are pursuing the goal of installing shore power at all international container and cruise terminals by 2030.
Terminal 5 boasts shore power capability at both berths with Husky Terminal currently being equipped with shore power capability.
For domestic cargo, TOTE is a leader in shore power installation and is equipped with shore power capability for weekly domestic cargo services that travel to Alaska.
Green Corridor Projects
The NWSA and Port of Seattle are both working through feasibility studies for green corridors in Cruise and Cargo. Take a look at the Info-Sheet to learn more about the green corridor projects.
Clean Cargo Handling
Cargo handling equipment (CHE) moves goods at marine terminals between ships, railcars, and trucks. Examples include stradle cariers, rubber-tired gantry cranes, reach stackers, forklifts and more.
Tier 4 Cargo Handling Equipment
The current standard for new diesel CHE equipment is Tier 4, which emits substantially less DPM than older modles (close to a 90% reduction).
New and amended leases are beging changed to include a Tier 4 CHE requirement.
Zero Emission CHE
To help facilitate the transition and adoption of zero-emission technology, the NWSA is supporting CHE demonstration projects.
Currently, one successful demonstration project of 6 fully-electric yard tractors is underway at the South Intermodal Yard.
Future Fuels
Today, nearly all ocean-going vessels use fossil fuels, resulting in significant GHG and criteria pollutant emissions. With the current state of the alternative marine fuel industry in flux, the ports aim to support a smooth transition to alternative marine fuels across the supply chain.
Low GHG Marine Fuel Industry
Developing the technology, market, and infrastructure to support low GHG marine fuels is needed to address emissions from OGV’s and achieve port climate goals. While several alternative fuel options are in development and various stages of demonstration globally, there is not currently a zero-GHG emission marine fuel commercially available.
Different carriers have started to order vessels fueled by methanol, ammonia, and hydrogen, among others, as the science and infrastructure progresses for these alternatives. New fuels may also require new infrastructure to support production, transportation, storage, and bunkering, as well as safety and regulatory consideration as vessels transition from traditional liquid fossil fuels to hydrogen-based fuels like ammonia and methanol.
Alternative Fuel Research
As many alternative fuel options continue to develop in the maritime industry, the ports can play a role in promoting the development, demonstration, and advancement of these fuels to reach the scale needed for global production and use. Our ports are working with regional, state, federal government, nongovernmental, and industry partners to support the advancement of alternative fuels for maritime use through research, policy advocacy, and partnering with industry on green corridors to demonstrate zero-GHG emission fuels on specific routes. One example of this work in action is a study published in 2024 by RMI that lays out a roadmap for alternative fuel adoption in Washington. You can download the full report here.
Hydrogen Hub
The ports are part of the Pacific Northwest Hydrogen Hub, which was awarded up to $1 billion by the Department of Energy in 2023. The Hub contains many projects structured to develop the entire chain of hydrogen infrastructure, from the production facilities all the way to the end users.
Policy & Grants
Achieving our zero-emissions goals will require support from local, state, and federal governments in both policy changes and grant funding. Highlighting the importance of environmental initiatives in our gateway to policy-makers is a key strategy in raising awareness and ensuring that funds are dedicated to these major projects.
Federal
Several Federal funding sources are available to support decarbonization efforts at ports including:
- Port Infrastructure Development Program (PIPD): The PIPD is a grant program administered by the maritime division within the US Department of transportation, also known as MARAD.
- Inflation Reduction Act (IRA): This act in 2022 allocates significant funds to clean energy infrastructure, with some of that funding being directed specifically for port projects.
- Diesel Emissions Reduction Act (DERA): DERA is a grant program administered by the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), with the directive of lowering diesel emissions, and has supported our clean truck program.
- The Green Corridor program is spearheaded by the US State Department.
State
The Washington state legislature and other agency grant funding has supported the ports with:
- Shorepower funding
- Clean truck support (collaborative grant WSDOT)
Regional/Local
The Ports work in close collaboration with our local and regional partners in our decarbonization efforts. We have or are working towards electrification strategies with both Seattle City Light and Tacoma Public Utilities, representing intense coordination work and planning between our agencies to ensure the grid is there to support the level of electrification that will be needed for our industry. You can find the strategies Seattle Waterfront Electrification Strategy here, the South Harbor Electrification Roadmap (SHERM) is expected to be published by 2025.
We coordinate closely with regional planning entities like the Puget Sound Regional Council (PSRC) to inform and support region wide decarbonization planning.
Other Key Initiatives
In addition to the above major areas of work there are other programs and projects that represent a smaller portion of our emissions sources, but are still critically important to the success of the NWPCAS.
Fleets & Facilities
This includes emissions sources that are within the direct operational control of the port authorities, including owned or leased vehicles and vessels, office buildings,
support facilities, and employee functions
that are needed for the administration of port
activities.
Harborcraft
Smaller watercraft technology, like tugs or other support boats, commercial fishing vessels, and recreational vessels, are also part of our zero-emission transition portfolio but represent a much smaller section of our emissions inventory. Both electric and alternative fuel harborcraft are slowly becoming more commercially available, and we are committed to working with our other waterway partners to support the transition of these craft.
Rail
We work closely local and Class 1 rail partners in transitioning their locomotives and operations to zero emission technology.
Community Engagement
The health and wellbeing of near-port communities is a key driver of our work to protect the region’s clean air. Working closely with community groups, the ports are supporting the green transition by supporting local events targeted toward clean air and energy.
Join the Ports’ community newsletters:
What guides the actions we take?
Northwest Ports Clean Air Strategy
IMPLEMENTATION PLANS
After collaborating for more than a decade, the participating ports recognize the value of setting shared objectives while also maintaining flexibility in how objectives will be met at each port where emissions profiles and operations differ.
Port-specific implementation plans will enable ports to identify, prioritize and focus resources on actions in a way that is strategic and relevant to their lines of business, policy contexts, and the regions where they operate. Implementation plans will demonstrate how each participating port plans to advance the 2020 NWPCAS vision and objectives, with a focus on near-term actions.
Click below to see each organization’s Implementation plan
