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Ports aren’t just located by the ocean or other major waterways like the Great Lakes or the Gulf of Mexico. Inland ports are typically connected to seaports via rail, and rail ports are also found in every major U.S. city. Airports are a port of entry as well.
The commonality across all these port types is propane-powered equipment, which takes many forms. There is the typical equipment, like terminal tractors and forklifts, but there is also equipment that might not be as apparent, like generators and light- and medium-duty trucks.
All of these equipment types play a role in decarbonization at each type of port. They replace dirty diesel models that fill the air with black, smoky particulate matter, along with emissions you can’t see, like sulfur oxides and nitrogen oxides.
Many ports are being mandated to decarbonize; the good news is that while decarbonization with propane-powered equipment is simply the right thing to do, it is also the most cost-effective solution.
Forklifts and terminal tractors
New propane-powered equipment types are coming online at ports to address material handling needs that could previously only be handled by diesel models. Typically, forklifts were Class 4-6 models that could enter and exit buildings with no issue. Now, Class 7-8 propane forklifts are available that operate with the same type of heavy-duty engine as propane terminal tractors.
These Class 7-8 propane forklifts are perfectly suited to lift greater weights, like 30,000-pound rolls of steel, crude oil and containers, and have no issues entering terminal buildings and warehouses. That’s unlike diesel models, where vents in buildings have to be opened and fans turned on to push out emissions.
Propane-powered terminal tractors are especially ubiquitous at seaports, many of which operate 24/7 to ensure shipping containers are removed from ships in a timely manner, or the port could be assessed fines for being late. Propane terminal tractors are well-suited for powering large-capacity loads, but here is the key: terminal tractors need a lot of fuel to operate. Because diesel fuel is much more expensive than propane, a seaport can substantially reduce its fuel costs by switching to propane equipment.
If we review the cost of operating propane-powered equipment like terminal tractors with electric models, there is much to consider. Establishing an infrastructure to recharge dozens, if not hundreds, of terminal tractors, is a huge upfront investment. The only alternative that makes sense is propane, because the fueling infrastructure and a storage tank can be installed by a propane provider at minimal cost with signage of a fuel contract.
The speed of propane refueling is another huge benefit; it takes mere minutes to fuel up a port tractor or any size forklift, compared to hours to recharge an electric model. Charlie Ferlisi, director of engineering and equipment services at Port Newark Container Terminal in Newark, New Jersey, has a 3,000-gallon propane tank on site.
“With the assistance and coordination of Suburban Propane, we were able to design and create a mobile tank,” Ferlisi said. “The design was created so that refueling could be conducted at the designated and approved terminal tractor’s parking area. Suburban Propane is delivering propane to the storage tank weekly.”
Generators and trucks
No matter the type of port or its location, electrical grid power can go down at any time, especially in parts of the country that are prone to rolling blackouts or natural disasters like hurricanes. That’s another area where propane shines — power generation.
Like terminal tractors and forklifts, diesel-powered generators are dirty and dispense particulate matter that impacts not only the port itself but also the surrounding community. Commercial propane generators ensure uninterrupted operation, which translates to peace of mind that a port will be able to operate no matter the status of the electric grid. Propane is also more affordable than diesel, so ports substantial cost savings by using propane-powered generators.
Propane autogas light- and medium-duty vehicles have two significant advantages over gasoline vehicles. First, the cost of propane autogas is less than the cost of gasoline and since autogas is a cleaner fuel, less maintenance is needed, leading to a reduction in maintenance costs. Second, autogas-powered vehicles are known for their reliability and power, delivering performance to fleets of all sizes.
There is an urgency to reduce emissions in ports and mandates add pressure for a timely solution. The nature of propane as a clean, cost-effective energy source aids in ports’ decision-making process. It is easily implemented and powers many equipment types, making it a one-stop energy solution for the decarbonization of ports of all types and sizes.
