Commercial, Energy Efficiency, GHG Emissions  -  February 15, 2023

Long Beach Container Terminal Sets 2030 Goals

Long Beach Container Terminal (LBCT), a container handling facility, released its Net Zero Action Plan to create an emission-free operation by 2030.

These final steps within a $2.5 billion redevelopment project that began 10 years ago mean LBCT will further minimize environmental impacts in the greater Long Beach/South Bay region. 

These emission reductions will provide companies that rely on international shipping of goods immediate solutions to satisfy reporting requirements for off-site, downstream (Scope 3) emissions.

“While climate change poses a significant threat to the movement of goods worldwide, it also presents an opportunity. At LBCT, we’ve clearly demonstrated that through the adoption of green-energy heavy equipment and operations it is possible to dramatically increase our cargo handling capacity while simultaneously reducing emissions,” said Anthony Otto, LBCT CEO in a statement. 

LBCT’s deployment of clean-energy cargo handling equipment – from its electric dual-hoist cranes to battery-operated container ground movers – has quadrupled capacity to 3.3 million containers a year while reducing GHG by more than 80%. 

The plan is estimated to cost $200 million. The bulk of this cost will go toward additional zero-emission equipment and infrastructure, as well as renewable energy, including on-site power generation, LBCT is garnering support from important government agencies as evidenced by the recent $30.1 million grant to convert yard tractors to electric.

LBCT’s Net Zero 2030 Climate Action Plan is focused primarily with:

• Direct (Scope 1) carbon emissions generated by equipment or vehicles owned and operated by LBCT, such as all the cranes and cargo handling equipment.
• Indirect carbon emissions (Scope 2) from electricity consumption, which includes buildings and electric equipment. This scope largely reflects the renewable content of Southern California Edison’s (SCE) grid.
• Collaborating within LBCT’s supply chain to reduce GHG emissions (Scope 3) generated by partners such as ships, trucks, trains, tugs, and other service providers.