The Port of Long Beach governing board has approved going out to bid on an estimated $17.7 million project to provide ship-to-shore power at one of the port's major cargo terminals.
The project consists of retrofitting three existing berths at the port's Pier A facility to provide landside electrical power to vessels. Providing landside power to vessels at berth allows the vessels to turn off their diesel-powered auxiliary engines normally run while at dock, dramatically cutting ship-generated pollution in the harbor. Up to 50 percent of a typical calling vessel's total emissions are generated by the at-berth use of auxiliary engines.
The port's Pier A facility is operated by SSA Terminals and is currently serviced by a number of carriers including CMA CGM, Matson, MSC and Zim.
In December 2007, the California Air Resources Board approved regulations requiring a 50 percent reduction in at-berth vessel emissions in California by Jan. 1, 2014, rising to 80 percent by Jan. 1, 2020.
When completed, the Pier A project will be the fourth ship-to-shore installation at the port. The port plans to eventually have ship-to-shore hookups at each of its terminals.
The deadline for bids on the project to be submitted to the port is September 27.
As part of the bid criteria, the port has set a goal of 30 percent small business participation and 5 percent very small business participation.
Friday, August 5, 2011
