Yusen Terminals Purchases World's First Clean Burning LNG Terminal Tractors for Use in Port of Los Angeles
August 3, 2004
Los Angeles, California - Yusen Terminals Inc. (YTI), a wholly owned subsidiary of NYK Lines, today announced that it has placed an order for the marine terminal industry's first yard tractors powered by clean burning liquefied natural gas (LNG). These low-emission terminal tractors will operate at YTI's 245-acre facility located on the northern section of Terminal Island in the Port of Los Angeles. According to Don Lawrence, Western Regional Manager for Kalmar Industries Corp., "this is the first time in the world that LNG has been used to power a marine terminal tractor."
"As part of NYK's Green Policy, YTI is continually working to find ways to reduce emissions from our waterfront transportation services," said Masayuki Okutsu, Executive Vice President for YTI. "Instead of purchasing traditional diesel powered units, YTI's investment in these clean air LNG tractors will reduce emissions of NOx by 65 percent and particulate matter by over 80 percent."
This first-of-its-kind purchase is the result of a twelve-month effort by Sound Energy Solutions (SES), a wholly owned subsidiary of Mitsubishi Corporation, and Applied LNG Technologies (ALT) to expand the use of clean-burning natural gas in the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach. Okutsu stated, "Without the help of SES and ALT, our efforts would not have been possible."
Funding for YTI's project has been provided by the South Coast Air Quality Management District (SCAQMD) through its Carl Moyer Air Quality Standards Attainment program.
SES and ALT's efforts to develop the market for additional clean fuel port equipment are in anticipation of the opening of SES' Port of Long Beach -based LNG import terminal in 2008. SES' project will be the only LNG import terminal in the world that is designed to also provide a vehicle grade LNG fuel to the transportation market. The other LNG import projects currently proposed in California have no facilities to supply vehicle grade LNG fuel.
Throughout the last decade, LNG has increasingly become the fuel of choice for heavy-duty vehicle operators seeking to use cleaner alternatives to conventional fuels such as diesel and gasoline. There are thousands of LNG powered trucks, buses and trains now operating in California and throughout the United States. SES' Chief Operating Officer Thomas Giles said, "SES is proud to be a community partner in the region's efforts to clean the air by providing a reliable, safe and cost-effective fuel from our LNG terminal to this growing market for low-emission transportation."
LA City Mayor James Hahn states, "this is another tremendous example of how we can continue to increase our City's cargo handling capacity in the port while meeting our pledge of Ôno net increases' in emission in the Los Angeles Harbor.
"Yusen has always been a leader in environmental solutions and a responsible neighbor to Harbor Area communities. These green tractors will benefit not only the residents of San Pedro and Wilmington, but also the men and women that work on the docks on a daily basis," said Councilwoman Janice Hahn. "I challenge all of our terminal operators to follow YTI's example and utilize green technology whenever possible."
As a third generation ILWU Member and former President of ILWU Local 63 Marine Clerks, current City of Los Angeles Harbor Commission Board Member, and life-long resident of San Pedro, Thomas Warren knows first-hand the importance of reducing emissions within the port. "Using the cleanest equipment available is the only way that we can reduce emissions within the port, particularly as the need to handle increasing volumes continues to grow."
Beyond these first two LNG terminal tractors, YTI hopes to continue to replace its diesel fleet with low-emission technologies. YTI has recently submitted an application to the Port of Los Angeles Air Quality Mitigation Fund for the funding of an additional 34 LNG tractors and for an LNG fuel station that will allow the company to continue to replace its fleet of 120 diesel terminal tractors with cleaner LNG units.
When SES' LNG import terminal opens in 2008, Okutsu noted, "YTI's fleet of LNG terminal tractors will not only be using the cleanest engines currently available, but the anticipated low-cost of the LNG from SES' terminal will also be saving our company money. It's a win-win-win."