Global Logistics and Supply Chain Strategies - September 2008 - (Page 50)

executive director of the Port of Tacoma, has expressed reservations about the technology. He worries that the cost isn’t justified by the benefits, and that vessels unplugging from shore power could spew large amounts of particulate matter at dockside as they fire up their cold diesel plants. In addition, says Paulsen, some developing countries lack the technology necessary to make cold ironing a reality. “It’s far better to allow industry to come up with a solution that’s more universal,” he says, suggesting the use of distillate fuels as an alternative. In any case, Paulsen is confident that the port will reach its 70-percent target for reduced vessel emissions by 2010. “We are well on our way to achieving that objective,” he says. “We have not encountered resistance to this approach.” Similar goals are in place at U.S. East Coast ports, although the strategies may differ. The Virginia Port Authority is working to reduce its environmental footprint in several ways, according to Heather Mantz, director of environmental affairs. As early as 1999, it started an enginereplacement program for cargo-handling equipment. Mantz says the port has sought to implement the highest standards of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. In addition, it switched to ultra-low-sulfur diesel fuel three years ahead of a federal mandate. Thanks to the equipment-replacement effort, the port has been able to reduce overall emissions by around 30 percent—despite a 50-percent increase in cargo volume over the past six years. The effort continued in July with the purchase of three low-emission, hybrid yard locomotives for the on-dock rail oper- ation at Norfolk International Terminals. They will save an estimated $143,000 in annual fuel cost for the terminal operator, while leading to even lower emissions. The hybrid units are expected to result in a reduction in NOx and particulate matter by 80 to 90 percent. “I think you will see us continue to go more and more to a hybrid-type fleet,” says Mantz. “We are switching our straddle carrier fleet to diesel electric. We’ll continue to improve our cargo handling with the best available technology.” Also high on VPA’s environmental agenda has been its recent ISO 14001 certification for environmental responsibility, making it the first port on the East Coast to achieve that designation, Mantz says. Ports and ships know that a green strategy means a positive public image, in addition to tangible impacts on the environment. So it isn’t surprising that the Container Shipping Information Service (CSIS), a new industry group of shipping lines, chose June 5, World Environment Day, as the date for reaffirming its commitment to environment protection. The group offered a number of recommendations for cutting back on CO2 emissions, including the use of carbon calculators and other metrics to evaluate the impact of freight transport. In addition, CSIS pointed to the advantages of modern containerships, which emit 25 percent less CO2 than vessels of the 1970s that were one-tenth their size. “CSIS members are committed to maintaining momentum in enhancing their environmental performance,” the group said in a statement. Whether ships and ports can achieve sustainable goals before regulators force them to do it remains to be seen. To access this article online, visit The Digital Edition at www.SupplyChainBrain.com. Resource Links AAPA, www.aapa-ports.org APL, www.apl.com Horizon Lines, www.horizonline.com NYK Line, www.nykline.com Port of Los Angeles, www.portoflosangeles.org Pacific Merchant Shipping Association, www.pmsaship.com Port of Tacoma, www.portoftacoma.com Virginia Port Authority, www.vaports.com 50 SEPTEMBER 2008 www.SupplyChainBrain.com http://www.SupplyChainBrain.com http://www.aapa-ports.org http://www.apl.com http://www.horizonline.com http://www.nykline.com http://www.portoflosangeles.org http://www.pmsaship.com http://www.portoftacoma.com http://www.vaports.com http://www.SupplyChainBrain.com

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Global Logistics and Supply Chain Strategies - September 2008

Global Logistics and Supply Chain Strategies - August 2008 Contents Editorial GL&SCS Exclusive Fast Forward Up Front Cover Story: Free The Enterprise: Busting Silos in the Supply Chain Business Process Management Merits New Look fromCorporate Strategists Ships and Ports Explore Many Ways to Go Green The Right Information Should Help Avoid Any Kind of Risk Industry Voices

Global Logistics and Supply Chain Strategies - September 2008

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