Net Zero by 2030

In 2020, all lighting on our ship-to-shore cranes was replaced with energy efficiency LED bulbs. In 2021 we replaced all yard and indoor terminal lighting with LED lights. 

We implemented a project in 2023 to optimize and adjust lighting levels throughout the terminal that has resulted in close to 800 MWh of electricity savings annually.  This is enough to power 120 typical California homes each year. In 2023 we added lighting motion sensors in offices further reduce energy consumption. 

Before: Incandescent Yard Lighting (Left) After: LED Lighting (Right)

The transition to Trucker Exchange Lanes APM Terminals Pier 400 has eliminated one third of on-terminal truck miles driven and greatly reduced truck idling times.

In turn, this has resulted in significant reduction in diesel emissions and other negative environmental impacts associated with truck transactions at APM Terminals.

APM Terminals Pier 400 Clean Truck Express lane was introduced in December 2023 to support the transition to zero and near-zero emissions drayage trucks. It provides express access to trucks meeting the definition of Clean Truck in the Port of Los Angeles’ Clean Truck Program.

Initial studies show that this can save trucks an average of 9 minutes turn time, compared to conventional lanes – more during peak hours. In turn, this reduces energy consumption, promotes lower emissions, and improves operational efficiency.

Pier 400 anticipates a near doubling of the number of certified clean trucks eligible for its Clean Truck Express lane by the end of 2024. 

Pier 400 has operated using a Truck Appointment System for over five years. And in 2020 this was also introduced as a smartphone App for added convenience.

Truck appointment systems helps smooth out peak moments at the terminal, eliminate queues at the gate and keep truck turn times to a minimum as we can prepare containers for collection in advance. Dual appointments enable containers to be dropped-off and picked-up in one visit.

In recent years Pier 400 replaced 169 older diesel-powered cargo handling equipment (including rubber-tired gantry cranes, terminal tractors, top handlers and empty handlers) with 132 new hybrid-electric straddle carriers. 

The hybrid-electric straddle carriers are powered by on-board lithium-ion batteries which are recharged by a small and efficient Tier 4f diesel generator. This technology allows the straddle carriers to operate on electricity only more than 56% of their operating time.

These hybrids are designed to be converted to fully electric once infrastructure is in place. A total 4 fully electric straddle carriers (2 x new, 2 x retrofit of existing hybrid fleet) have been ordered and are planned to be fully deployed in early 2025.

We have installed electric vehicle charging points in our public parking areas, capable of charging up to 8 electric vehicles at any one time. 

Over the last couple years, through improved efficiency and optimization we have retired over 80 gasoline-fueled passenger vehicles at the terminal and we've replaced fossil fuel vehicles with fully electric vehicles. This included a 32 fully electric passenger vehicles (Chevy Bolt and VW ID.4s), one fully electric transit van and our first 100% Electric Cone Cart which is used for the removal and installation of inter-box connectors on double-stack rail cars.

Orders have also been placed for two fully electric Phoenix Motorcars E-450 Shuttles which are expected to arrive in Q3 2025, to replace the terminals diesel 18 passenger buses.

To support our electrification plans, the power supply infrastructure at our terminal needs to be upgraded to meet almost triple our current electrical demand. Initial studies show that this will take approximately five years.

APM Terminals is partnering with the Port of Los Angeles and the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP) on these electrical infrastructure upgrades. Joint collaboration on these infrastructure projects are essential for success.

Pier 400 welcomes our partners' commitment to provide the necessary upgrades to power all the improvements.

Zero-emission cargo handling equipment such as top handlers, heavy-duty forklifts, terminal tractors and straddle carriers are not currently being manufactured on a commercial scale so availability is limited. 

Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEM) are slowly developing this niche area. For cargo handling equipment, there are also still a lot of unanswered questions – Battery swap or recharging? Will batteries last a complete shift? How long will recharging take? How long will batteries last before they need replacing completely? What ratio of charger to equipment is needed? How much additional equipment is needed to compensate for charging downtime? What investments need to be made in our electrical infrastructure to support recharging these power-hungry machines? Do operating cost savings cover the significantly higher price tag and when will the tipping point be achieved?

To help answer these questions and determine the best approach to electrification roll-out in 2023, APM Terminals launched a US$60 million electrification pilot programme at five container terminals around the world, including $10M to Pier 400 Los Angeles. The terminals were chosen for their ‘decarbonisation readiness’.  We are READY!

The two Kalmar electric straddle carriers participating in the electrification pilot project will feature lithium-ion batteries with a projected operation time of 50 minutes for each five minute charge.  In the pilot project, charging will be performed at two Kalmar FastCharge™ charging stations to gain real world experience.

These pilots are expected to be underway Q3 2025; knowledge and insights gained from the pilots are expected to encourage the development of industry-wide best practices and stimulate ongoing technological development.  

This next-level electrified equipment will be tested, and staff will be trained in future-ready safety and maintenance protocols.

Pier 400 is a leader in piloting this technology. The harsh marine environment, scale of our operations and 24-hour operations will put the equipment to the test and provide learnings for future generations of zero emission cargo handling equipment.

For a decade, Shore Power has been provided by the port at all APM Terminals Los Angeles berths. Shore-side power has unprecedented air quality benefits. Plugging into electric power eliminates ship engine emissions of diesel particulate matter, nitrogen oxides (NOx) and sulfur oxides (SOx) while at berth.

The terminal actively works with shipping lines to encourage the use of shore power whilst at berth. APM Terminals has invested in two Alternative Marine Power (AMP) extension reels to provide additional berthing flexibility and to ensure ships of varying length and AMP reel configurations can be connected.