Port of Hueneme: Charting a course towards a zero-emission and sustainable future
The Port of Hueneme is one of the most productive and efficient commercial trade gateways for niche cargo on the West Coast. The Port consistently ranks among the top ten U.S. ports for automobiles and fresh produce. Port operations support the community by bringing $2.8 billion in economic activity and creating 24,887 trade-related jobs. Trade through the Port of Hueneme generates more than $236 million in direct and related state and local taxes, which fund vital community services.
We are at a critical point in history—as the world gets connected, demand for consumer products continues growing— the maritime industry is looking to create substantial change, meet the challenges ahead, and become more sustainable. As global ocean carriers and ports look for fleet and technology solutions that will make them more efficient; one Port in California is charting a new course and becoming an acclaimed leader for its ability to deliver on sustainability, equity, and innovation.
Achieving success in the face of this challenge will require substantial investment to build out new infrastructure, develop new technology, and create alternative energy sources. All while delivering on greater social inclusion a clear path towards zero emissions in operations and a concrete timeline focused entirely on achieving these goals.
As an early adopter of zero-emission technologies, the Port of Hueneme has emerged as a leader for environmental justice and progress, especially when it comes to public health and the environment. Since 2008, the Port has achieved an 85% reduction in PM. In 2012, the Port completed a comprehensive Environmental Framework that set ambitious goals in air quality, water quality, marine resources, soil and sediment, energy, and climate change. In 2014, a shore-side power system was installed to enable ships to plug in and be zero emission at berth. Through its partnership with Tesla, the Port installed five battery packs to purchase and store power at off-peak hours, when it’s cheapest and cleanest, for daytime use. The Port recently completed the installation of new electrical infrastructure to power hybrid electric mobile cranes, zero-emission trucks, and zero-emission yard tractors. These advancements helped Hueneme become the first port in California to be Green Marine certified in 2018, and just this past year achieved its highest scores yet.
The Port each day is pushing aggressively into new fields of heavy-duty industrial decarbonization in pursuit of a future of zero-emission operations. In November of 2021, the Board of Harbor Commissioners unanimously voted to pass a resolution committing the Port of Hueneme to this zero-emission future. The path forward has been strategic and is being informed through a blueprint project known as SPARC (Sustainable Power Advancement & Resiliency for Our Community).
The Port of Hueneme’s volume has grown an impressive 80% over the last decade; stimulating economic prosperity for California and Ventura County: The Port moves over $15.8 Billion worth of goods generating over $2.8 Billion in economic impact, creating approximately 25,000 trade-related jobs, and contributing more than $236 million in direct and related state and local taxes which fund vital community services.
The shoreside power connects fruit ships and cranes, and they are changing our fleet of UTRs and Port equipment. These investments have singlehandedly reduced emissions by 80%. The Port of Hueneme works towards the goal of becoming the first fully electric port in California, and that this is something they are confident they can absolutely achieve.
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This documentary is part of the Ocean Titans, an official series of the World Ocean Council and brought to you by Special Interest Films.
