Page 43: of Maritime Reporter Magazine (September 2023)

Zero emissions equipment

Image courtesy Port of Long Beach

In reference to its marine operations WABTEC speci? cally ? eet charging in Ports.” cites successful ferry operations. Ferries can be recharged dur- To work around waiting for these upgrades, RH’s partner, ing loading and unloading, keeping the vessels in service. In EV Edison, has developed mobile battery energy storage sys- a system in use in Norway, charging times vary between “a tems that can be deployed on marine barges and tractor-trailer few minutes to an hour.” Reliability is over 98% for vessels trucks to solve the immediate problems of available power operating up to 14 hours/day. Marine charging sets short-term supply and electrical equipment shortages. RH writes that high-power demands. These peaks, WABTEC writes, “have “barge-based storage and charging systems are ideally suited the potential to challenge the resiliency of electric service pro- for EV ? eet charging at marine terminals in Ports because that viders and stress local grids and power plants.” Peak offsets can provide the necessary power for EV ? eet charging now.” could come from battery storage systems or local power gen- RH writes that “with the proper level of federal funding” bat- eration which secures power availability at the spot. tery storage can be deployed at Red Hook’s terminals.

Regarding BABA, WABTEC asks EPA to “keep in mind the near-term challenges to meet Build America Buy America Zeeboat (BABA) requirements. EPA must allow suf? cient time for U.S. Startup Zeeboat re? ects ideas and possibilities from entre- manufacturing companies (to) undertake efforts and invest re- preneurs newly drawn to zero emission markets. Zeeboat is sources to enhance their domestic supply chain and comply based in New York. It is collaborating with Houston-based with these requirements.” WABTEC suggests that EPA needs Industrial Service Solutions, The Shearer Group and Ingram to balance the need for domestic content with ZE goals at ports. Industries. Zeeboat CEO Jonathan Braun says the availability

Red Hook Container Terminals is based in New Jersey. Its of grant money, such as EPA’s clean ports initiative, is critical comments re? ect partnership operations with Climate Change for developing balanced, equitable ? nancing. Zeeboat’s plans

Mitigation Technologies and EV Edison. It has direct experi- include towboats and pushboats for a full range of applica- ence, starting in 2021, with 10 BYD heavy-duty battery elec- tions, from coastal ports to the inland waterways. An initial tric terminal tractors at Port Newark. RH seeks to convert all project has been on harbor-based container on barge service, 35 diesel tractors as well as top-pickers, cranes, and refriger- the kind of back-and-forth work assignment particularly well- ated power units to battery electric. suited for battery powered vessels. EPA’s ? nal Guidance is of

Regarding performance, RH tells EPA that the 10 BYD keen interest to emerging companies like Zeeboat.

tractors have had virtually no problems over two years. But the company references two important factors for start-up: Next Steps

New Jersey provided a funding grant of 75% and the site had EPA received more than 100 comments in response to its existing, suf? cient electrical service and amperage. request for information. When asked about its timeline for the

In a section titled “Key Challenges” RH notes that utili- Guidance and related funding EPA said it anticipates releas- ty-side electric power upgrades are required at just about all ing the new Clean Ports Program funding opportunity in late ports. RH writes that “the existing grid is simply not sized winter 2024. Funds are available to eligible recipients through to support the signi? cantly increased demands created by EV September 30, 2027.

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