Port of Virginia Blog

Port's First Fuel Switch Underway with Arrival of Maersk Wyoming

Norfolk – As it had done so many times before, the Maersk Wyoming sat at idle on a clear Friday evening at APM Terminals, its auxiliary engine hummed quietly as cargo operations were underway, but one thing was very different about this call.

As the vessel idled, its engine was using ultra low-sulfur marine diesel, a fuel that releases far fewer emissions when burned. Moreover, the vessel’s use of low-sulfur fuel while it was moored at APM Terminals represented a new milestone for the Virginia Port Authority’s Green Operator – GO -- program.

“The GO program was designed to get cleaner trucks into the region’s fleet with assistance from the VPA,” said Heather Wood, the VPA’s director of environmental affairs. “We’ve expanded the program to include ocean carriers and Maersk was the first carrier to sign on to our GO fuel switch program. This is a perfect example of a port and ocean carrier having a common environmental goal, which is this case is clean air.”

Through the fuel-switching program, Maersk Line will take advantage of a $300,000 incentive from VPA to burn the low-sulfur fuel in its vessels when they are pier side at The Port of Virginia. Once moored, Maersk Line vessels will draw fuel for their auxiliary engines from an on-board tank filled with the cleaner burning fuel, which contains less that 0.1 percent sulfur.

Maersk Line vessels call The Port of Virginia on a weekly basis and last year the ocean carrier accounted for 300 vessels calls in Virginia.

“We estimate that the fuel switch will reduce emissions of sulfur oxides by 20 metric tons in the first six months,” said Lee Kindberg, director of environment and sustainability at Maersk Line.

Norfolk-based Maersk Line, Limited (MLL) will have 18 ships participating in the program. The fuel switch program will run for 13 months and involve 41 Maersk Line ships making more than 210 port calls.

GO Program

The GO program is the VPA’s ongoing effort to clean up drayage trucks serving The Port of Virginia and it now includes incentives for fuel switching and alternative auxiliary power options for ocean carriers. The GO program provides incentives to retrofit older vehicles with more emission-efficient engines and recognizes partners for setting and achieving goals for reducing air pollution and greenhouse gases associated with the transport of goods. GO partners include both carriers and shippers, each doing their part to clean up the air.

Operational Cost

Through the $300,000 incentive, the VPA will subsidize Maersk Line’s cost to purchase the ultra low-sulfur marine diesel for one year. The money for the incentive comes from three sources: the VPA, $75,000; the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality, $75,000; and $150,000 from the federal Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality (CMAQ) grant program. Over the course of the next five years the VPA will receive $4 million in CMAQ funding for the program.

VPA Expands Green Operator Program to Vessels; Announces Fuel-Switch Agreement

Norfolk – The Virginia Port Authority announced today (Jan. 26) an expansion of its Green Operator – GO -- program that will provide an incentive to ocean carriers to burn ultra low-sulfur marine gas oil or use alternative power technology while their vessels are moored at VPA-owned terminals.

As a result of that expansion, the VPA announced today Maersk Line will be the first ocean carrier calling The Port of Virginia to take advantage of the incentive. Beginning in February, all Maersk Line vessels calling the port will burn the low-sulfur fuel while its vessels are at idle during cargo operations.

Last year the VPA began looking for ways to expand GO, which is a program offering financial support to replace older, more polluting short-haul trucks that serve ports in the Mid-Atlantic. The logical step, said Heather Wood, the VPA's director of environmental affairs, was to expand the program to the ocean carriers with the focus being a reduction in air pollutants coming from vessels at idle.

"In three years there will be a federal mandate requiring all vessels plying North American waters to burn this low-sulfur fuel," Wood said. "This is the beginning of our effort – and a first in the Mid-Atlantic and Southeast -- to help ocean carriers get ahead of that mandate but we're doing it with an eye on the positive effects for air quality Hampton Roads.

"Maersk has always had a very progressive environmental program and it has participated in some similar programs elsewhere, so it seemed like a logical fit."

The announcement of the fuel-switching agreement between VPA and Maersk Line was made at the Elizabeth River Project's (ERP) annual awards ceremony where the VPA was inducted into the ERP's Hall of fame. The ERP is a non-profit organization dedicated to restoring the river to the highest practical level of environmental quality through government, business and community partnerships.

"The Port of Virginia fuel switch is the first such initiative in the Mid-Atlantic and Southeast, and its implementation will create immediate benefits to the region by reducing emissions and improving air quality," Gov. Bob McDonnell said. "The partnership with Maersk Line represents a model that applies environmentally-conscious business practices while keeping our region's economy moving forward."

Through the fuel-switching program, Maersk Line will take advantage of a $300,000 incentive from VPA to burn the ultra low-sulfur fuel in its vessels when they are pier side at The Port of Virginia. Once moored, Maersk Line vessels will draw fuel from an on-board tank filled with the cleaner burning fuel.

Maersk Line vessels call The Port of Virginia on a weekly basis and last year the ocean carrier accounted for 300 vessels calls in Virginia. The ultra low-sulfur marine diesel contains less that 0.1 percent sulfur.

"The fuel switch in the Port of Virginia is part of Maersk Line's commitment to reduce emissions and improve our environmental performance," said Lee Kindberg, director of environment and sustainability at Maersk Line. "We estimate that the fuel switch will reduce emissions of sulfur oxides by 20 metric tons in the first six months. When local residents see a Maersk container or ship, they will know that we are doing our part to improve air quality in Hampton Roads."

Norfolk-based Maersk Line, Limited (MLL) will have 18 ships participating in the program. The fuel switch program will run for 13 months and involve 41 Maersk Line ships making more than 210 port calls.

"We are pleased to participate in an effort that will improve air quality in our hometown," said Patrick Callahan, director of health, safety, security, environment and quality at Maersk Line Limited. "The collaboration with VPA and Virginia Department of Environmental Quality enabled the rapid start-up of a program that will provide real environmental and health benefits to our community."

Operational Cost

Through the $300,000 incentive, the VPA will subsidize Maersk Line's cost to purchase the ultra low-sulfur marine diesel for one year. The money for the incentive comes from three sources: the VPA, $75,000; the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality, $75,000; and $150,000 from the federal Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality (CMAQ) grant program. Over the course of the next five years the VPA will receive $4 million in CMAQ funding for the program.

Operational Fuel Switch Details

Switching involves changing which tank is supplying the fuel and controlling the rate of temperature changes during the transition. Vessel personnel follow the engine manufacturer's recommendations during the switch.

Incentive for the Use of Alternative Power technology

The VPA is also offering a one-time, $500,000 per vessel incentive to ocean carriers that want to employ technology that uses no fuel while a vessel is at idle during cargo operations. This technology, Wood said, essentially would have a vessel using a battery-powered energy management system to fuel its auxiliary engines.

VPA Tapped for River Star Hall of Fame Induction

Norfolk – The Virginia Port Authority's sustained commitment its environmental program has earned the agency its most significant environmental accolade: induction into the Inside Business Hall River Star of Fame.

Today's induction announcement coincides with the presentation of the VPA's 11^th River Star Award for Sustained Distinguished Performance for its continued, voluntary proactive effort to help restore the Elizabeth River and keep its surrounding environment clean. The River Star is given by the Elizabeth River Project (ERP) as that organization's highest honor given to businesses along the river for their efforts to keep the waterway healthy.

"There isn't an aspect of environmental stewardship that they haven't focused on," says Pam Boatwright, River Star businesses program manager. "Visit any of the port's three terminals on the Elizabeth River and you might see environmental innovation in action: From an under-wharf storm water retention system at Norfolk International Terminals, to low-emissions locomotives and trucks, to electric cranes and state-of-the-art storm water treatment at APM Terminals.

"To do its part to restore urban wildlife habitat, the port has gone beyond basic requirements for mitigation projects to achieve significant new wetlands, oyster reefs and one-of-a-kind parks, including Plum Point in Norfolk and Paradise Creek Nature Park, which is currently in the making. 

The port authority has been active in the River Star Businesses program since its first year, 1997, and has documented achievements more years since than any other River Star except last year's first Hall of Fame winner, BAE Systems Norfolk Ship Repair. Boatwright describes Heather Wood, the VPA's director of environmental affairs, as an "outstanding mentor" who has recruited multiple other River Star businesses.    

It is, though, induction into the Hall of Fame that has Wood most proud.

"Our effort is not to win awards, but rather to be a good steward of this waterway and that has always been our guiding principle," she said. "You have to understand what your impact(s) on the environment are and take proactive steps to mitigate them; in our view, that is the only way to do business today. It is nice to be recognized for our effort and it is our guarantee that the effort will continue."

"With this award, we recognize the business that has done the most to exemplify the spirit of the River Stars program," said Bill Blake, director of sales for Inside Business, the Hall of Fame's primary sponsor. "The Virginia Port Authority has demonstrated exemplary leadership over the length of its involvement in the program to 'do right by the river' through responsible environmental stewardship practices that typically save money, improve employee morale and reduce safety risks at the facility, while safeguarding the health of our harbor river here in Hampton Roads."

The River Stars program is one of the most successful local pollution prevention and habitat restoration programs in Virginia. The ERP is a non-profit organization dedicated to restoring the river to the highest practical level of environmental quality through government, business and community partnerships. Each year the ERP, through its River Star awards, honors those companies, communities, individuals and businesses that have done their part to take care of the river, its shoreline and its tributaries.

Environmental Highlights from 2011:

• The VPA signed-on to a three year $25,000 sponsorship of the Chesapeake Bay Foundation's oyster gardening program that is aimed at helping to restore oyster stocks in the bay.
• The VPA's Green Operator, or "GO," program was the recipient of the Environmental Enhancement Award from the American Association of Port Authorities (AAPA), a trade group representing leading port authorities throughout the Western Hemisphere. Additionally, the success of the GO program, led it to become the model for development of the Mid-Atlantic Dray Truck Replacement Program that offers financial support to replace older, more polluting short-haul trucks that serve ports in the Mid-Atlantic. (Only the Port of Los Angeles/long Beach has put more clean trucks on the road.)
• More than 80 volunteers from the VPA, its operating company, Virginia International Terminals, Inc., and the local maritime industry spent the morning of June 4 scouring nearly four miles of Elizabeth River shoreline for any speck of trash they could find.
• The VPA completed a comprehensive, independent review of its environmental management programs and processes at all three of the VPA-owned and -operated marine terminals. The audit resulted in receipt of ISO 14001 Environmental Management System re-certification, which will be good through the summer of 2014.
• VPA and VIT sponsored an electronic recycling event at the VPA's Portsmouth Operations Center in honor of Earth Day.
• The VPA took delivery of two new ultra low-emission GenSet locomotives that are used to build trains in the on-dock rail operation at Norfolk International Terminals.
• VPA joined the Coalition for Responsible Trucking as a Charter Port Member, marking the first time that CRT's membership has expanded to include public sector representatives.

Wood Earns Harrison Award, the VPA’s Highest Honor

 

Norfolk – Heather Wood (right), the director of environmental affairs for the Virginia Port Authority, is the recipient of the 2011 W. Wright Harrison Award, the agency's highest honor.

The service award is presented annually by the Virginia Port Authority Board of Commissioners to an outstanding employee of the agency. The award is named after the late W. Wright Harrison, who was a vice chairman of the VPA board; nominees are chosen by their peers.

As director of environmental affairs, Wood oversees all of the agency's environmental programs, including its long-term sustainability policy. Moreover, she is responsible for securing federal grant money that helps to pay for many of the VPA's environmental initiatives.

Wood began her career with the VPA in 2000. Her award was presented by Michael J. Quillen, chairman of the VPA Board of Commissioners, at the regularly scheduled board meeting held Sept. 27.

"Through Heather's efforts, The Port of Virginia has the most progressive and proactive environmental program on the US East Coast, and this something to truly be proud of," Quillen said.

VPA Supporting Oyster Gardening Program With $25K Donation

 

Norfolk – As part of the Virginia Port Authority's (VPA) ongoing effort to help keep the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries healthy, the Virginia Port Authority on Saturday, Aug. 20, will donate $25,000 to the Chesapeake Bay Foundation's (CBF) oyster gardening program.

"Oysters are a critical part of the Bay's ecosystem and we're going to help lead the effort in Hampton Roads to bring them back," said Heather Wood, the VPA's director of environmental affairs. "Oysters and water quality go hand-in-hand, so it only makes sense to support the work of developing healthy oyster reefs in our local waterways."

The VPA has been a long-time supporter of CBF and chose to make this investment in the oyster gardening/restoration program in recognition of the positive impact these efforts have on water quality and marine habitat in Hampton Roads. The Bay's oyster populations have declined drastically over the past decades and one way to restore the shellfish is by training citizen oyster gardeners throughout Southeastern Virginia to nurture baby oysters for a year until they are big enough to be planted on sanctuary reefs.

A single adult oyster can filter up to 50 gallons of water daily, so boosting the oyster population is essential for improving the health of Hampton Roads waterways, CBF officials said. Since 1998 CBF, volunteers and other organizations have added nearly 40 million oysters to Virginia waterways, including 8 million last year.

On Saturday, following the check presentation ceremony, volunteer oyster gardeners will bring thousands of mature oysters they have nurtured from seed over the past year to an "oyster roundup." Bushel baskets of oysters will be loaded onto CBF's skiff – Bay Oyster -- and VPA officials along with CBF oyster gardeners and staff, will ride out to a sanctuary reef on the Lafayette River near the Hampton Boulevard Bridge and stock the reef with the tiny bivalves.

VPA Sponsors Oyster Gardening Program

 

Norfolk – The Virginia Port Authority is sponsoring the Chesapeake Bay Foundation's (CBF) 2011 oyster gardening program that is aimed at helping to restore oyster stocks in the bay.

Oyster populations have declined drastically over the past decades and CBF is working to restore them. One way is by training citizen oyster gardeners throughout southeastern Virginia to nurture baby oysters for a year until they are big enough to be planted on sanctuary reefs.

"By becoming an oyster gardener, residents can have a direct, positive impact on their local water quality," said Heather Wood, the VPA's director of environmental programs. "The program is recruiting local volunteers to grow oysters at docks for one year. Their efforts will boost oyster populations in Hampton Roads waterways."

The program begins with one-hour training workshops that are offered this summer in various cities throughout the region. After a year, the oysters will be placed on sanctuary oyster reefs in local rivers. Currently, there are more than 300 Virginia volunteers who raise oysters for restoration. Since 1996, CBF and its partners have grown or transplanted approximately 10 million oysters and have helped build or restock 33 reefs.

Oysters filter algae caused by nutrient pollution – the biggest problem facing the Bay and its waterways. A single oyster can filter 50 gallons of polluted water per day. Oysters also provide food for underwater species and create vibrant reef habitat.

Advanced registration is necessary for new and returning oyster gardeners. A $30 donation covers the cost of 1,000 native baby oysters (seed), and includes membership in CBF. To register, visit www.cbf.org/virginiaoysters, send an e-mail to cbfoystergardening@cbf.org or call 757/622-1964.

VPA’s Green Operator Receives National Recognition

Alexandria – The Virginia Port Authority's (VPA) Green Operator, or "GO," program is the recipient of this year's Environmental Enhancement Award from the American Association of Port Authorities (AAPA), a trade group representing leading port authorities throughout the Western Hemisphere.

GO is a voluntary diesel engine retrofit and replacement initiative aimed at reducing emissions coming from privately-owned big rigs serving The Port of Virginia. The program, which began in 2007, helps truck owners – individuals and firms – securing financing to either upgrade the emissions systems of older trucks or completely replace the unit.

"We're committed to improving the air quality at our facilities and this program is part of a larger overall environmental commitment we've made to this community," said Heather Wood, the VPA's environmental affairs director. "GO has been embraced by the trucking community and we're flattered to have been recognized on a national level."

Since its inception GO will be responsible for retrofitting or replacing 350 trucks by the end of 2011, removing 20 percent of total air emissions (carbon monoxide, volatile organic compounds, sulfur dioxide and particulate matter) generated by diesel trucks serving the port.

AAPA selected 22 seaports to be recognized for exemplary projects, programs and initiatives at its annual awards event later this summer. The awards, for achievements in facilities engineering, environmental improvement, information technology and communications, will be presented to winning ports at a Sept. 14 luncheon in conjunction with AAPA's 100th Annual Convention in Seattle (https://www.aapa2011.org/main.aspx), which runs Sept. 11-15.

VPA’s Green Trucks Program Chosen as Mid-Atlantic Model

 

Norfolk – The success of the Virginia Port Authority's Green Operator, or GO, program has led it to become the model for development of the Mid-Atlantic Dray Truck Replacement Program that offers financial support to replace older, more polluting short-haul trucks that serve ports in the Mid-Atlantic.

"Our voluntary program is the model which says a lot about the success we have had, but it also goes to the importance of a larger, coordinated regional effort aimed at reducing emissions from this mode of transport," said Heather Wood, the VPA's director of environmental affairs. "In addition, this regional effort will be using federal grant money that will be available to all the ports."

The effort is being spearheaded by The University of Maryland Environmental Finance Center (EFC) in conjunction with the Mid-Atlantic Regional Air Management Association Inc. and is being supported by a $3.3 million of grant funds from US Environmental Protection Agency. Moreover, the program will build on the initial EPA grant with the financial support and cooperation of the participating states, as well as the shippers and carriers associated with these ports.

The Mid-Atlantic Dray Truck Replacement Program – which soon will be renamed GO – will offer qualified applicants a $15,000 down payment toward the purchase of trucks that meet more stringent emissions standards. The intent of the program is to remove some of the oldest, dirtiest trucks from the fleets that serve the ports of Virginia, Baltimore, Philadelphia and Wilmington (DE).

"We no longer want our ports to be the place where old trucks go to die. We understand the need for supporting our local economy but not at the expense of the health of the surrounding port community," said Joanne Throwe, director of the Environmental Finance Center. "This program aims to give truck drivers an opportunity to afford that cleaner, greener truck but at the same time, not go broke making the payments for that truck."

Throwe and her colleagues are working to engage partners so they can double the impact of the EPA award with a dollar-for-dollar match in the form of sponsorships and support from the public and private sector.

In 2007, Virginia was the first state in nation to build a voluntary program specifically for creating a cleaner and more fuel efficient fleet of local trucks. In March, the VPA merged its Green Operator Program to this Mid-Atlantic partnership and is leveraging the program with a $300,000 contribution of its own. There are 150 applications pending and 24 of those are ready to receive approval for funding.

With the industry commitment demonstrated by members of the Coalition for Responsible Transportation (CRT) whose members make up some of the largest shippers and distributers from around the country, CRT is working to establish and endorse clean truck programs around the country. Through this partnership with CRT, EPA hopes to bring more attention to clean truck issues and strengthen the opportunity to support programs such as the Mid-Atlantic effort.

 

VPA-Led Clean the Bay Day Effort Yields Tons of Garbage

 

 

Norfolk – More than 80 volunteers from the Virginia Port Authority and the local maritime industry spent the morning of June 4 scouring nearly four miles of Elizabeth River shoreline for any speck of trash they could find.

"The only thing we didn't find was the kitchen sink," said Heather Wood, the VPA's director of environmental affairs. "A car bumper, the door to a portable toilet, shoes, light bulbs – you name it and we probably found it."

For 10 years running the VPA and the Hampton Roads maritime industry have fielded a team of volunteers for the annual Clean the Bay Day event. This year, the group's effort was focused on the shorelines around Plum Point Park in downtown Norfolk and APM Terminals in Portsmouth.

Collectively, about three tons of garbage was gathered from the clean-up sites. A partial inventory shows that more than 800 plastic products (including bags and bottles), 500 hundred cigarette butts, and about 200 glass products were collected.

The Hampton Roads Maritime Incident Response Team volunteered its boat to ferry volunteers to the APMT shoreline for clean-up at that site. Other organizations that participated include Virginia International Terminals Inc., Virginia Intermodal Management, the Virginia Maritime Association, Hampton Roads Marine Services, CSX and volunteers from the neighboring community.

Top: Bill Burkett (red shirt), director of MIRT, his son Michael (blue shirt) and Chris Moore bring back some of the morning's haul. Moore is holding a plastic bench.

Bottom: Bryan Scott (foreground), Steve Grogan (red hat) and Chris Moore unload a old foam seat cushion.

VPA Successfully Completes Environmental Re-Certification

Norfolk – The Virginia Port Authority this week successfully completed a comprehensive, independent review of its environmental management programs and processes at all three of the VPA owned and operated marine terminals.

The audit resulted in the VPA receiving its ISO 14001 Environmental Management System re-certification, which will be good through the summer of 2014. Norfolk International Terminals, Portsmouth Marine Terminal and Newport News Marine Terminal were all audited.

"The audit confirms that we're continuing to do the right things, in terms of those processes we have in place at the terminals that are aimed at reducing the impact our operations have on the environment," said Heather Wood, the VPA's director of environmental affairs. "Our commitment is to pollution prevention, compliance on various levels and continuous improvement of our environmental management system."

The ISO 14001 is an internationally-recognized certification of an environmental management system, which requires an organization to manage, measure, improve and communicate its environmental program in a systematic way. One of the primary requirements for certification is to have a comprehensive list of environmental aspects associated with terminal operations and identify those that can have the most significant effects on the environment. The key commitments of the terminal's environmental policy include stopping pollution, obeying environmental rules, improving performance and reducing waste.

The process of obtaining the re-certification included identifying all of the environmental issues associated with the port operations; evaluating potential impacts; determining needs; and developing a continuous management plan that includes a training, an awareness element and an internal audit program to insure effectiveness.

In order to monitor continued compliance with the ISO 14001 certification, the VPA has "surveillance audits" conducted annually by an external auditor until the recertification audit. In addition, internal audits are conducted in between the surveillance audits.

The Environmental Affairs department is currently working to bring APM Terminals in Portsmouth and Virginia Inland Port in Front Royal into compliance with ISO 14001 standards. The Port of Virginia is the first and only U.S. East Coast port to achieve and maintain the ISO 14001 certification for environmental management at its marine terminals.

Mark Your Calendars ...

 

Port Takes Delivery of Two Highly-Efficient GenSet Locomotives

 

Norfolk – The Virginia Port Authority on Thursday (Feb. 24) took delivery of two new fuel-efficient GenSet locomotives that will be used to build trains in the on-dock rail operation at Norfolk International Terminals.

The state-of-the-art units use GenSet technology, which is short for "Generator Set" or sets of engines turning a generator. This technology replaces the large diesel engine and generator found in almost all existing freight locomotives with two or three much smaller diesel engines and generators.

These smaller engines are similar to large off-road diesel engines and are EPA Tier III off-road / Tier II railroad compliant. Advanced computer technology allows for precise control of the engines, starting and stopping only as their power is needed.

While the outward appearance of the GenSet is similar to existing, older-technology locomotives, fuel consumption and exhaust emissions are significantly reduced by using smaller engines only when needed.

Environmental benefits of GenSets include:

• Fuel savings of more than 20%, compared to existing diesel locomotive technology in side-by-side use, have been demonstrated.
• Compared to a traditional locomotive in the same application, GenSet units have been shown to reduce NOx by 58 percent (mono nitrogen oxides), HC by 94 percent (hydrocarbons), CO by 37 percent (carbon monoxide) and PM by 80 percent (particulate matter).

A Decade’s Worth of River Star Awards for the VPA

 

Norfolk – The Virginia Port Authority has earned its 10th consecutive Sustained Distinguished Performance Award for its continued voluntary effort to keep the Elizabeth River and its surrounding environment clean.

The award, given by the Elizabeth River Project, is that organization's highest honor given to businesses along the river for their efforts to keep the waterway healthy.

"A decade's worth of River Star awards, I believe, sends a message to the public and everyone using our region's waterways that we are doing our very best to be good stewards of this very important public resource," said Heather Wood, the VPA's director of environmental affairs. "The VPA has been on-board with its commitment to the cleaning up the river from the beginning and our work – our dedication to this effort – is far from over. This is a long-term, agency-wide commitment."

The Elizabeth River Project is a non-profit organization dedicated to restoring the river to the highest practical level of environmental quality through government, business and community partnerships. Each year the ERP, through its River Star awards, honors those companies, communities, individuals and businesses that have done their part to take care of the river, its shoreline and its tributaries. The VPA earned its first River Star award from ERP in 2001.

Pictured above are (left to right): John Edwards, safety and environmental director at APM Terminals; William Goodson, the VPA's environmental specialist; Pam Boatwright, River Stars program manager; Heather Wood, the VPA's director of environmental affairs; and Brude Bradley, chairman the Elizabeth River Project board.

This year's award recognized the VPA for three initiatives undertaken in 2010:

• The Green Operator of "GO" program. This program used federal grant money to get trucking companies and small operators to retrofit their trucks with emissions reducing technology or replace the unit altogether. Since July 125 trucks have been retrofitted with emissions-reducing technology and seven trucks have been replaced.
• At two of its three marine terminals, the VPA is burning ultra low-sulfur diesel fuel that contains five percent bio-diesel. The blended fuel is being used in all cargo handling equipment at the Newport News Marine Terminal and APM Terminals; VPA is in the process of implementing this fuel at NIT. The use of low-sulfur blended product combined with high-efficiency engines helps to reduce emissions.
• In May 2010 Norfolk International Terminals received ISO 14001:2004, an internationally-recognized environmental certification that lays out very specific guidelines and audits for industrial facilities.
• Last year the VPA teamed up with BAY Disposal and started a terminal-wide recycling program. Through this program, from Dec. 2009 through April 2010, the VPA had 42 fewer trash dumpsters go to a landfill than the previous year.
• The VPA Police Department has implemented a brass recycling program for its spent bullet shells in its gun range. Thus far, the department has collected and turned in 317 pounds of brass for recycling.
• In 2010 the VPA's operating company, Virginia International Terminals Inc., recycled the following:
  • 14,328 gallons of oil
  • 3,968 oil filters
  • 852 gallons of anti-freeze
  • 220 gallons of grease
  • 87 used batteries
  • 440 lbs. of fluorescent blubs
  • 6,305 gallons of water from the oil-water separator at Portsmouth Marine Terminal
  •  

VPA Expands its Use of Biodiesel to Include APM Terminals

Norfolk – The Virginia Port Authority has expanded its voluntary program of blending its ultra low-sulfur diesel fuel with 5 percent biodiesel for use in the diesel-powered machines owned by the VPA's operating company, Virginia International Terminals Inc. (VIT), and employed in cargo operations.

The program is being phased in at each terminal and on Jan. 12 use of the blended fuel began at APM Terminals. The blended product is designed to reduce emissions. Last July VIT began using the blended fuel in its cargo handling equipment at Newport News Marine Terminal.

In 1999, the VPA voluntarily implemented an emissions reduction program through revisions to its equipment purchasing policies. All new cargo handling equipment at port facilities now have the lowest emission producing engines available on the market.

From 1999 to 2005, air emissions from cargo handling activities decreased by 30 percent, despite a 55 percent increase in cargo volume. From 2005 to 2015, emissions are expected to decline by an additional 38 percent, while cargo volumes are forecasted to increase 49 percent. In addition, in July 2007, VIT voluntarily began port-wide use of ultra low-sulfur diesel fuel, three years ahead of a federal mandate. That switch resulted in a 30 percent reduction in particulate matter emissions and a 99 percent reduction in sulfur-oxide emissions.

Biodiesel is a clean burning alternative fuel, produced from domestic, renewable resources such as plant oils, animal fats, used cooking oil and even new sources such as algae. Biodiesel contains no petroleum, but can be blended at any level with petroleum diesel to create a biodiesel blend. Biodiesel blends can be used in compression-ignition (diesel) engines with little or no modifications.

Port’s Pro-Active Environmental Initiatives Covered in DC Velocity Magazine

Norfolk – DC Velocity magazine, a issue-oriented monthly national publication that focuses on distribution and supply-chain logistics has a story in its most recent issue about the Virginia Port Authority's environmental initiatives. The story was written following a terminal tour and meeting between VPA Senior Deputy Executive Director Jeff Keever and reporter Mark Solomon in early October. Here's the story: It's been said that what starts in California eventually ripples across the country. If so, the Virginia Port Authority wants to be ready.