Port of Virginia secures US$380 million federal grant for equipment upgrade

The Port of Virginia has received US$380 million from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) programme to proceed with its efforts to eliminate greenhouse gas emissions by 2040.

The port will use the federal grant to buy electric equipment and the infrastructure needed to support its decarbonization projects, while retiring legacy equipment powered by engines that burn gasoline or diesel fuel.

“This grant is truly transformative for our port and our community,” pointed out Stephen A. Edwards, CEO and executive director of the Virginia Port Authority. “It will make our operations more efficient and sustainable, enhance our capabilities and allow us to continue making strides toward becoming the US East Coast’s first net-zero port.

“This is an investment in the people working at our terminals, who will see first-hand the benefits of this modern, sustainable equipment. Our integrated approach to sustainability and efficiency is designed to advance opportunities for our workforce and our host communities. We are building the US East Coast’s most modern gateway and this is accelerating economic development and workforce enrichment to ensure that Virginia is not just prepared for, but ahead of the future.”

Using the grant, the port aims to retire more than 150 pieces of legacy equipment. Most of that equipment is at Norfolk International Terminals (NIT), but there will also be equipment replacement at Richmond Marine Terminal (RMT). Further, the grant will allow the US port to forgo renewing the lease for some legacy equipment at RMT. All of the retired units will be replaced with new battery-electric equipment, while the old units will be scrapped for recycling.

The list of replacement equipment is extensive and includes specialized cranes for rail operations and container yards, forklifts, shuttle carriers for moving containers, electric locomotives, on-terminal trucks and shuttle buses for safely moving people to and from work areas. Additionally, the grant will be used to further develop the port’s battery charging infrastructure and energy storage for expanding zero-emissions operations at NIT and RMT.

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