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pane equipment also tends to be lower than new electric for a whole shift, requiring operators to stop and recharge equipment. Based on a 2021 assessment of the San Pe- or swap out a battery. This higher uptime and faster turn- dro Bay terminals at the Ports of Los Angeles and Long around for propane material handling equipment means

Beach, the purchase price for near-zero emission propane more ef? cient operations, better use of labor resources, and terminal tractors is signi? cantly lower than electric tractors increased output.

at approximately $150,000 in comparison with electric’s $320,000 per unit. Energy Security and Operational Resilience

Another major factor with the potential to disrupt op-

Reduced Infrastructure and Maintenance Costs erations is electrical grid instability. And increased power

Propane refueling infrastructure also tends to cost much demand, aging infrastructure, and severe weather are mak- less than electric, which may require recharging stations and ing power outages more common by the day. The risk of grid upgrades. Propane infrastructure is cost effective, scal- electric grid failures is particularly concerning for ports lo- able, and quick to deploy. Not only can large operations store cated in large population centers where electricity demand over 100,000 gallons of propane on-site, but refueling stations is high and in regions with higher risk of natural disasters. can be installed with a relatively low upfront investment and According to a recent report from the Department of En- scaled to meet port-speci? c needs. Propane also doesn’t de- ergy, blackouts in the U.S. could increase by 100 times by grade over time like gasoline and diesel, so large reserves can 2030 if nationwide electrical infrastructure isn’t expanded be stored for long periods. and upgraded. For ports, grid outages can disrupt commu-

Propane engines also generally require less maintenance nications, IT systems, and other essential services, in ad- than diesel engines. For example, there’s no need for expen- dition to preventing electric terminal tractors and forklifts sive aftertreatment systems such as diesel exhaust ? uid or from recharging.

diesel particulate ? lters. This further reduces long-term main- Propane provides ports with an off-grid solution that reduc- tenance costs on parts and labor, as well as less vehicle main- es dependency on the grid. With onsite propane storage and tenance downtime. backup propane-powered generators, microgrids, and shore power, ports can keep critical electric systems running even

Improved Equipment Uptime and Productivity when the grid goes down. Likewise, while propane-powered

With a volatile trade environment, there have been periods equipment is completely protected from grid disruptions, even of record volume ? owing through ports. For example, July electric forklift and terminal tractor ? eets can bene? t from 2025 was the busiest month on record at the Port of Los An- propane-powered EV charging capabilities. geles. Getting ships unloaded quickly and ef? ciently is criti- cal, and equipment downtime is a hidden cost that can disrupt Weathering the Waves of Global Trade schedules and erode pro? t margins. As economic uncertainties and tariff whiplash continue to

Propane-powered equipment can perform all day, carrying affect the volume of goods coming into U.S. ports, controlling heavy loads without loss of power or speed. Today’s propane costs and maximizing ef? ciency are critical for maintaining terminal tractors are currently the only near-zero emission port operations. Propane power is one way in which ports can fuel technology platform capable of meeting marine terminal achieve lower and more predictable fuel costs, affordable in- operators’ endurance needs — traveling consistent speeds and frastructure, minimal maintenance downtime, and resilience distances no matter the cargo weight. during power disruptions.

Meanwhile, a single propane cylinder can power a fork- Whether ports have been utilizing propane equipment for lift for an entire eight-hour shift without losing power or decades or are looking to upgrade their operation, propane is speed. Cylinders can also be swapped out in a matter of a strategic asset that can help ports weather whatever global minutes. On the contrary, most electric batteries cannot last trade has in store.

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