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Ports in Seattle and Tacoma, Wash., and Vancouver, British Columbia, are posting progress with a joint, cross-border effort aimed at reducing port-related emissions in the Georgia Basin-Puget Sound air shed, according to a 2010 implementation report.
 
Through the Northwest Ports Clean Air Strategy, the ports are collaborating on ways to reduce air pollution, such as by focusing on clean-air goals for railroads, trucks, ships and cargo-handling equipment through cooperative relationships with customers, tenants and regulatory agencies.

The 2010 report shows railroads have helped attain goals by replacing engines, adding idle- and friction-reduction technologies, and using low-sulfur fuels; 98 percent of drayage trucks have met targets through outreach, engine retrofits or incentive programs; and 62 percent of diesel-powered equipment has met performance measures through retrofits, replacements and low-sulfur fuel usage, according to the ports.

“Continuous improvement in our environmental performance is good for our communities, customers and stakeholders,” said Robin Silvester, president and chief executive officer of Port Metro Vancouver, in a prepared statement.