Cargo Handling Equipment
             
  •  Equipment Replacement with 
      Engines Meeting Cleaner Standards 
 •  Clean Fuels
 •  Emission Control Technologies 

Strategies
Here are some effective strategies that can be applied to address diesel emissions from Cargo Handling Equipment (CHE):

Equipment Replacement with Engines Meeting Cleaner Standards
In some cases, cargo handling equipment (CHE) fleet managers prefer to buy new equipment with new engines rather than repower old cargo handling equipment with new engines. The cost of the CHE is a small fraction of the overall life cycle costs relative to operations and maintenance costs. The labor costs for terminal maintenance shops to repower CHE also need to be factored into the decision-making process. New CHE would come with warranties which could lower maintenance costs. Each fleet manager will need to consider the relative costs and benefits for their operation. The emissions benefits would be similar in either case.

Strategy – Replace older off-road yard tractors, top picks, forklifts, reach stackers, RTGs, and straddle carriers <750 hp with new equipment that meet cleaner on-road and off-road engine standards. Replace CHE with >750 hp with new equipment that meet cleaner off-road engine standards.

For example; the San Pedro Bay Ports Clean Air Action Plan will require the replacement of older CHE with new clean engines over a specific time period. The Ports aim to implement the cleanest available NOx alternative-fueled engine or the cleanest available NOx diesel-fueled engine that will meet 0.01 g/bhp-hr for particulate matter (PM). If there are no engines that meet the 0.01 g/bhp-hr for PM, then the CAAP recommends the purchase of the cleanest available engine along with the best available emissions control technology that would meet the 0.01 g/bhp-hr for PM. The European Commission has similar clean engine standards, Euro III, IV, and V.

In the Port of New York and New Jersey , the major container terminal operators are systematically replacing yard tractors, at the end of their five to ten-year duty cycle, with brand-new equipment that come equipped with the cleanest available, on-road engines, and are doing this voluntarily because there is a business case to do so. These terminal operators are also investing heavily to replace older diesel- powered gantry cranes with pieces that feature regenerative electric capabilities, which likewise are supported by a strong business case.

Technical Considerations – Ensure technical feasibility. Strategy will involve the careful removal of original engine and replacing it with newer-cleaner engine. Equipment which includes regenerative electric capabilities (e.g. some of the new Rubber Tire Gantry (RTG) and Rail Mounted Gantry Cranes) will increase fuel efficiency and further reduce emissions.

Options for Implementation – Implementation through voluntary programs, incentives, and/or lease renewals/renegotiations.

Pros and Cons – The purchase of newer cargo handling equipment that meet cleaner on-road or off-road engine standards will demonstrate great emission reduction benefits and, under the right conditions, make a good business case. The challenge may be the availability of cleaner engines internationally.

Clean Fuels
Strategy – Implement the use of cleaner fuels with low sulfur content. Cleaner fuels include; low to ultra low sulfur diesel fuel, emulsified diesel fuels, oxygenated fuel (O2 diesel fuel), and biodiesel. Additional clean fuel options for CHE include LNG and CNG.

Technical Considerations – Work with ports and fuel suppliers on the availability and supply of clean fuels. Depending on the type of clean fuel used, cleaning of the fuel tank may be required in order to avoid fuel contamination.

Options for Implementation – Implementation strategies may include the use of lease requirements and tariff changes.

Pros and Cons – Positive emission reduction benefits for NOx, PM and GHGs. The use of biodiesel may present a slight increase in NOx. Challenges may arise with fuel availability. Cleaner fuels often cost more than standard ones.

Emission Control Technologies
Strategy – Retrofit CHE with the best available emission control technologies (ECTs). Depending on the appropriate application of ECT, ECTs can include; diesel oxidation catalyst (DOC), diesel particulate filter (DPF), or selective catalytic reduction (SCR). While evaluating different emission control technologies, consider ECTs that have had proven success with CHE similar to the CHE under evaluation. To further improve emission reductions, retrofit cleaner CHE engines with ECTs.

Technical Considerations – Operational and feasibility testing is required to ensure the function and applicability of an emissions control technology on CHE. In particular, many ECTs require exhaust gas temperature analysis by conducting exhaust gas temperature datalogging to measure exhaust gas temperatures. Many ECTs have exhaust temperature thresholds that are required for the operation and effectiveness of the technology. Emission control technologies which have been certified or verified by regulatory agencies (such as those programs at the US Environmental Protection Agency and the California Air Resources Board) are most likely to deliver the claimed benefits.

Options for Implementation – Implement strategy through lease requirements, tariff charges, and incentives. Design a Technology Advancement Program that would demonstrate feasibility of ECTs on CHE. The Technology Advancement Program would consider use of newer technologies.

Pros and Cons – Applying ECTs has proved to have positive emission benefits in reducing particulate matter (PM), Oxides of Nitrogen (NOx), carbon monoxide (CO) and hydrocarbon (HC). Retrofitting CHE with ECTs can be challenging, careful evaluation and analysis is a must.

back to top

DOWNLOAD

PDF Version Cargo Handeling Equipment (48 KB)