Tackling Climate Change in Maritime Operations
How the Port of Seattle is Reducing Maritime Emissions, Improving Air Quality, and Capturing Carbon to Meet its Climate Goals
The Port of Seattle was founded in 1911 by a vote of the people to promote economic opportunities and quality of life in our region by advancing trade, travel, commerce, and job creation. Since those early days, the Port’s priorities have evolved beyond helping our state’s economy. They now include a substantial and long-term commitment to our environment and to the health, equity, and well-being of the people who live, work, and play around near-port areas in Elliott Bay and the Duwamish Valley. The Port's Century Agenda sets a goal to be the greenest, most energy efficient Port in North America and, today, is well on its way! The Port of Seattle’s Maritime Division is successfully investing in clean technology, renewable fuels, and resource efficiency to minimize greenhouse gases emitted into the atmosphere. In addition, Port habitat restoration projects are enriching the urban and nearshore marine environment with native vegetation to improve air quality, absorb and store carbon from the air, reduce ocean acidification, boost primary production, and enhance habitat for fish and wildlife.
The Port is acutely aware of the far-reaching impacts that climate change is having on the region today and is planning for the future. From investing in emission reduction technologies like shore power for cruise ships to powering Port buildings with solar and restoring habitats, the Port is taking steps to fulfill its responsibility to address climate change. Scroll through this special 50th Anniversary of Earth Day Story Map to learn more about how the Port of Seattle’s Maritime Division is tackling carbon emissions and working to be the greenest port in North America.
The Port’s Commitment to Carbon Reduction in Maritime Programs
The Port of Seattle Commission adopted Port-wide greenhouse gas emission reduction targets in 2017 that align with the Paris Climate Agreement . The Port's targets include a long-range commitment to deeply "decarbonize" maritime activity and make Port operations carbon neutral or carbon negative by 2050.
Where do Maritime-Related Emissions Come From?
The Port separates “maritime-related” emissions into two categories: Port Activity and Port Administration. It’s important to note that these emissions are not limited only to the Maritime division but also include the Economic Development and Corporate Division’s operations. “Maritime,” as used here, refers to these varied lines of business separate from emissions associated with Seattle-Tacoma International Airport.
Port Activity includes emissions from ships, harbor craft, recreational vessels, rail locomotives, vehicles, and cargo-handling equipment which are not owned by the Port but are associated with the Port’s cruise terminals, grain terminal, industrial properties, and marinas.
The greenhouse gases from these activities combined make up 95% of the Port’s maritime-related greenhouse emissions. Although the Port does not operate or manage these sources, it can still have limited but important influence over them.
Oceangoing vessels contribute the largest share of emissions compared to other sectors of Port activity. Oceangoing vessel emissions are broken down into emissions from vessels in transit within the bounds of the regional airshed and hoteling/maneuvering emissions - emissions produced as the vessel approaches the dock, for the duration the vessel is docked at the Port, and as the vessel leaves the dock.
To understand exactly how much CO2 is emitted from each type of activity, the Port of Seattle collaborates with other ports, agencies, and organizations to conduct a regional inventory of greenhouse gas and air pollutants called the Puget Sound Maritime Air Emissions Inventory (Inventory).
The Inventory estimates emissions from maritime-related activities in tons per year. Conducted voluntarily every five years, it provides critical climate change data to inform environmental programs and policy decisions for ports throughout the region. The baseline inventory was conducted in 2005 and the most recent inventory year is for 2016 .
The Port also conducts its own internal greenhouse gas inventories each year and measures maritime-related emissions from Port Administration. Port Administration encompasses the greenhouse gases emitted from Port-owned office buildings, marinas, terminals, commercial and industrial properties, and conference centers, as well as port-owned vehicles and equipment, solid waste generated from Port-owned facilities, and from employees commuting and travelling by air for business. The Port’s internal maritime greenhouse gas emissions inventories are compiled yearly to track progress toward greenhouse gas reduction targets and inform program investments and decisions.
While Port Administration makes up only 5% of the total maritime-related emissions at the Port, the Port has comparatively more control over these sources and seeks to take a leadership role for its tenants and partners operating in the maritime supply chain.
How is the Port Reducing Maritime-Related Emissions from Port Activity?
Climate and Air Collaboration between Northwest Ports
Since 2007, the Port has partnered with the Northwest Seaport Alliance , Port of Tacoma , and Port of Vancouver (British Columbia), along with government and industry to develop the Northwest Ports Clean Air Strategy (NWPCAS). The first international effort of its kind in the port community, the NWPCAS seeks to reduce diesel particulate matter and greenhouse gas emissions in the region. The original strategy set goals to reduce diesel emissions per metric ton of cargo by 80% and to reduce greenhouse gas emissions per metric ton of cargo by 15% by 2020 relative to a 2005 baseline.
As of the 2016 Inventory, the ports met the NWPCAS goals four years ahead of schedule:
- 80% reduction in diesel emissions intensity (emissions per 10,000 metric tons of cargo)
- 17% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions intensity (emissions per 10,000 metric tons of cargo)
Read more about the progress to implement the NWPCAS in the annual Implementation Report .
Currently, the ports and strategy partners are developing the third update to the NWPCAS, which will set a new course for the future and define actions for 2025, 2030, and beyond. The 2020 NWPCAS will present a shared vision and common approaches between ports to address global climate change and improve regional air quality. Each member port will also execute port-specific air quality and climate action plans to meet its own targets while supporting the overarching vision of the strategy.
Connecting to Shore Power
Seattle’s cruise industry is a significant driver of the local economy : each vessel supports $4.2 million in economic activity in the region. While these economic contributions are critical, oceangoing vessels — which for Port of Seattle means cruise and grain ships — contribute more emissions than any other sector of port activity. The Port recognizes the importance of balancing the economic benefits of cruise with sustainability and its responsibility to safeguard the environment.
Shore power is the term used for the enormous electrical gear required to connect ships at dock to landside electricity, like how one might power an appliance using a plug. When connected to the electrical grid, a cruise ship can turn off its large diesel engines, saving fuel and eliminating air pollution.
In Seattle, the Port has access to extremely clean electricity from Seattle City Light where 93% of power is generated from clean sources . As a result, shore power also emits significantly fewer greenhouse gas emissions compared to using a ship's diesel engines to generate power on board. Each cruise ship that connects to shore power can avoid emitting about 34 metric tons of CO2 — the equivalent greenhouse gasses emitted by an average car driving between Seattle and New York about 30 times!
The Port has provided ships with shore power since 2005 - the first cruise port in the world to provide shore power at two cruise berths! In 2019, 89% of shore power-capable ships (85 total calls) plugged into shore power at the Smith Cove Cruise Terminal at Terminal 91, preventing 609 hours of onboard diesel engine use and eliminating 2,900 metric tons of CO2 in just one season.
Clean electricity, a big shoreside electric plug, plus a shore power-capable ship provides a reliable and consistent solution. However, not all cruise ships that visit Seattle can connect to shore power and only two of the Port’s three cruise berths can offer a connection at this time. The good news is industry trends indicate cruise lines are increasingly investing in shore power capability for their ships, and the Port is in the process of designing and delivering a new shore power connection to its Bell Harbor Cruise Terminal at Pier 66 . Providing shore power at all cruise berths is the Port’s best opportunity to eliminate over 10,000 metric tons of CO2 each year — about 25 percent of the total emissions from cruise ships in the Puget Sound.
Planning for Waterfront Clean Energy
A clean energy future for the maritime industry likely includes a variety of innovative fuel types and clean technologies, which could include renewable or biofuels, renewable natural gas, hydrogen, battery technologies, and electricity. In Seattle, the Port is fortunate to receive carbon neutral electricity from Seattle City Light. In 2019, the Port initiated a partnership with Seattle City Light to develop a Seattle Waterfront Clean Energy Strategic Plan. The plan will identify critical infrastructure and technology investments needed over the next 30 years to supply electricity for expanded use of shore power and the replacement of fossil fuels in cargo handling equipment, drayage trucks, and other waterfront operations. With Washington’s statewide commitment to achieve 100% clean energy by 2045 and a strong relationship with Seattle City Light, electrifying Seattle’s working waterfront will help the Port achieve its decarbonization goals and lead the way in a clean maritime energy transition.
How is the Port Reducing Maritime-Related Emissions from Port Administration?
While the Port must work with its tenants and partners to reduce emissions from the different sectors of port activity like cruise, grain shipments, rail lines, and commercial and recreational vessels, it has comparatively more control over emissions from its own operations.
To achieve the 2050 greenhouse gas reduction goals, the Port needs to reduce annual maritime-related carbon emissions from Port Administration by around 4,000 metric tons — no small feat! Port of Seattle Maritime is focused on the following strategies to get there:
- Reducing Building Energy Use
- Piloting Solar Power
- Increasing Vehicle Efficiency and Reducing Fuel Use
- Encouraging a Lower Carbon Commute to Work
- Reducing Maritime Solid Waste
Reducing Building Energy Use
Building energy use accounts for approximately 51% of all greenhouse gas emissions from Port Administration. The Port operates 10 major campuses that comprise more than 80 properties of various uses, from the corporate headquarters at Pier 69 to parking structures, marinas, terminals, retail shops, and public access parks. Combined, these properties consume roughly 45 million kilowatt-hours (kWh) of electricity and use 200,000 therms of natural gas annually.
Investing in energy efficiency is a key strategy to reduce energy use, which can reduce monthly utility bills while reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Since 2013, building energy efficiency projects have conserved about 2 million kWh of electricity and saved an estimated $160,000 each year. To save energy, the Port is focused on installing high efficiency lighting, upgrading heating ventilation and cooling (HVAC) systems, improving building energy control systems, phasing out natural gas used for heating and hot water, and educating tenants on reducing energy.
Piloting Solar at the Port
The Port is excited to have made investments in solar on two of its buildings. These solar arrays reduce energy demand from the grid, provide renewable, emissions-free power from the sun, and reduce energy bills. As of March 31, 2020, rooftop solar generated 134,062 kWh of power at the Port— that’s enough energy to power 11 average American homes each year. So far, use of solar at the Port has eliminated 2.8 metric tons of CO2 emissions, or the equivalent amount to adding one more roundtrip drive from Seattle to New York City, and then road tripping from Seattle to Los Angeles!
In addition to supporting the growth of solar as an alternative energy source, the Port is proud to support local businesses by purchasing Washington sourced solar panels.
In 2017, the Port completed installation of its first solar array — a pilot project to learn more about renewable energy generation for buildings. The project installed 44 solar panels on Net Shed 5 at Fishermen’s Terminal in conjunction with a roof replacement project. The net sheds are used to store gear for the North Pacific Fishing Fleet. In its first year of operation, the solar array produced more electricity than anticipated rendering Net Shed 5 a “net zero” building. The energy that Net Shed 5 doesn’t use powers other needs at Fishermen’s Terminal.
Following the success of the solar project at Fishermen’s Terminal, the Port completed a solar array at its Pier 69 headquarters. What was once a production facility for American Can Company’s canned salmon containers, the three-story, 190,000 square-foot Port headquarters now includes 390 panels that generate approximately 120,000 kWh of electricity annually. Washington Department of Commerce jointly funded the solar installation. The panels on Pier 69 will save $10,000 in energy costs annually.
To learn more about the Port’s use of solar panels and to track monthly energy production, visit the Port's solar webpage .
Increasing Vehicle Fleet Efficiency and Reducing Fuel Use
Emissions from the Port’s maritime vehicle and equipment fleet compose 23% of Port Administration emissions. Most of the maritime fleet, which includes cars, vans, trucks, small boats, generators, and specialized heavy-duty equipment, is fueled by either gasoline or 20% biodiesel (B20), with a few fleet assets fueled by conventional diesel, propane, or compressed natural gas.
Since adopting a green fleet policy in 2008, the Port has switched most diesel-powered vehicles to B20 fuel and increased purchases of hybrid sedans and SUVs. Starting in 2018, the Port installed electric vehicle charging stations at Fishermen’s Terminal and Shilshole Bay Marina for travelers, customers, tenants, and employee use, and has more stations planned. To achieve additional emission reductions from the fleet, the Port will eliminate older vehicles, educate drivers, and use drop-in renewable fuels.
Encouraging a Lower Carbon Commute to Work
How the Port’s employees get to work matters for the climate. The greenhouse gas emissions produced from employees’ commuting makes up 21% of the greenhouse gas emissions within Port Administration. As a large employer, the Port follows the Washington State Commute Trip Reduction Act , which aims to reduce roadway congestion and carbon emissions. While several of the Port’s maritime properties are not easily accessible by public transportation, including its Pier 69 headquarters, the Port does offer a suite of commuter benefits to encourage alternative commute modes aside from driving alone to work. These benefits include subsidized transit passes, subsidized access to Vanpool programs, free bike parking, showers, and a locker room. The Port will continue its efforts to reduce emissions from employee commuting.
Reducing Maritime Solid Waste
The Port has a waste diversion goal of 60 percent by 2020 and, as of 2019, the Port has achieved 45 percent. Nearly 70% of the Maritime solid waste is generated at Shilshole Bay Marina and Fishermen’s Terminal. The Port has audited 8 of its 13 facilities for waste reduction opportunities and identified strategies to promote proper sorting of compost, recycling and landfill waste.
The Port is dedicated to reducing the amount of waste that is sent to landfills each year and maximizing composting and recycling. The decomposition of waste in landfills and composting facilities emits greenhouse gasses as does the transportation of waste to disposal facilities. Solid waste produced at maritime-related Port properties contributes 4% of Port Administration emissions.
Carbon Reduction Through Habitat Creation
In 1854 — over 150 years ago — south Elliott Bay, where the Duwamish River enters marine water, was a rich and complex estuarine environment. The area comprised 5,300 acres of intertidal mud and sand flats, marsh vegetation, and riparian and forested wetland, which provided essential habitat for fish and wildlife.
Between 1910 and 1970, this landscape was dramatically altered to create the contemporary marine industrial assets that support $40 billion in annual maritime commerce. Today, the 8.2 square-mile south Elliott Bay industrial area represents 80% of Seattle’s industrial area, and supports $2.5 billion in local salaries. This economically important infrastructure replaced more than 95 percent of the historic estuary, displacing critical natural resource values and functions.
The carbon reduction programs discussed thus far have focused on preventing the release of greenhouse gases into the air, but another way to tackle climate change is to capture or “sequester” carbon from the air and water by restoring marine and estuarine habitat, re-introducing self-sustaining aquatic area, wetland, and riparian vegetation and associated fish and wildlife habitats.
Rehabilitating marine industrial shoreland and banklines into fully functioning habitat helps absorb CO2 from the air and water, and store it in plants, algae, sediments, and soil. In this way, habitat restoration projects are helping the Port work toward the 2050 carbon neutral goal through carbon sequestration.
Smith Cove Blue Carbon Pilot Project
Ocean and nearshore habitats are especially promising for capturing CO2. The CO2 captured and stored in these areas is called “blue carbon”.
In the Puget Sound and, more directly, in Elliott Bay, kelp, eelgrass, and marsh plants are important parts of the blue carbon habitat. They remove carbon from seawater as they grow, storing it in the plants and sediments.
Blue carbon may also help ease ocean acidification (when CO2 is absorbed in ocean water, making it unhealthy for sea life). The Smith Cove Blue Carbon Pilot Project is exploring this idea. It has the potential to sequester up to 10 tons of CO2 every year, as much as burning more than 1,000 gallons of gasoline in your car. The Port will study the benefits of this project over the next three years.
Alternative Bankline Stabilization Program
Port property includes 15 miles of shoreline in Elliott Bay and the Duwamish Waterway. This edge between land and water is an essential element of maritime infrastructure— billions of dollars in goods move across it every year. Historically, structurally-stabilized, armored banklines made of large rocks and vertical bulkheads (sea walls) were used to keep shorelines from eroding. These features harm fish and wildlife habitat function by interrupting natural processes, creating carbon-poor environments. The Port’s Alternative Bankline Stabilization Program has found ways to convert this “hard armoring” on the shorelines to greener, carbon-rich areas. The program uses anchored large-wood, plant-based erosion control materials, recycled soils, and native marsh and riparian plants to durably stabilize banklines while also creating habitat and capturing atmospheric and dissolved carbon.
Bio Barge Research Project
Bio barges, or floating wetland islands, are rafts with dense wetland plantings that can be used in areas where space limitations prevent conventional restoration methods. The Port is partnering with the University of Washington to build and field-test several bio barge units in the Duwamish River. These units will provide fish and wildlife habitat while also taking up contaminants from the water column and contributing to primary production.
Over time, the Port hopes to restore over 75 acres of habitat in the Green-Duwamish River Watershed converting carbon-poor sites to carbon-rich sites in saltwater, estuarine and freshwater areas and contributing to the carbon neutral goal.
Looking Toward the Future
The Port of Seattle’s continued efforts to prevent the release of maritime-related greenhouse gas emissions into the air and to sequester carbon through marine habitat restoration are critical to address the global climate crisis. Achieving the Port's climate targets will require significant investment, innovation and technological developments. The Port's success will also require collaboration across the region, nation and globe. We look forward to continuing to partner with other ports, industry, communities, governments, and non-profits to be carbon neutral by 2050.