Nearly $3 Billion in Federal Grants Go Towards Port Modernization Projects
Through the Environmental Protection Agency’s Clean Ports Program, 55 applicants throughout 27 states and territories will receive part of the nearly $3 billion in total funds. Here’s some of the recipients and examples of future projects:
New York and New Jersey (PANYNJ): they will receive around $344,138,135 to work with partners in implementing their proposed project. Which will include the deployment of electric cargo handling equipment and drayage trucks with supporting charging infrastructure, per the EPA. Within the project, they will also install vessel shore power infrastructure.
Detroit/Wayne County Port: they will receive around $21,905,782 to start the transition to zero-emissions at the Port of Detroit. The project will have them acquire and deploy battery-electric cargo handling equipment, vessels, railcar movers, charging equipment, and solar arrays, per the EPA. Additionally, they will scrap the diesel cargo handling equipment, a vessel, and a railcar mover at the port in an effort to decrease air pollution at the port.
Georgia Ports: they will receive around $48,763,746 to have vessel shore power systems at the Port of Savannah and the Port of Brunswick, per the EPA. Additionally, they will scrap and replace the diesel terminal tractors with new electric terminal tractors and the installation of electric charging infrastructure.
Port of Oakland: they will receive around $322,167,584 to buy and deploy zero-emission technology at the Port, per the EPA. This will include the deployment of electric and hydrogen cargo handling equipment, drayage trucks, charging infrastructure, battery energy storage system, and scrapping of part of their existing diesel fleet.
Reshuffling of Alliances: Will Gemini Cooperation Uphold Their 90% Schedule Reliability Promise?
During a third-quarter earnings call last Thursday, Maersk CEO Vincent Clerc told analysts that he anticipated a smooth transition as the company shifts from their current partnership in 2M Alliance with MSC, to their upcoming new alliance (Gemini Cooperation), with Hapag-Lloyd. Hapag-Lloyd will also be transitioning from the current alliance to Gemini beginning in February.
Clerc anticipates about 13 weeks for the full cycle to align with their new network, the JOC reports. Once fully stabilized, he says Gemini Cooperation’s next priority will be to prove it’s ability to significantly enhance schedule reliability throughout the system.
To sum it up, Clerc says the first priority is to maintain and establish a smooth transition. Once that happens, they’ll review and see how they continue to improve the value their creating for their customers.
Curious about the different ocean carrier alliances? Read more about them here.