“Clean Ports USA has proven

to be an invaluable resource to

port authorities.With funding and

support from the National Clean

Diesel Campaign and regional

diesel collaboratives, port authorities are reducing emissions for the

benefit of their communities and

workers.”

	 Michael Leone, Executive Director

MASSPORT

Clean Ports USA

Navigating

Toward

Cleaner Ports

National Clean Diesel Campaig

www.epa.gov/cleandiesel/po

Recycled/Recyclable — Printed with vegetable oil based inks on 100% postconsumer, process chlorine free recycled paper.

September 2010

EPA-420-F-10-023

About the National Clean Diesel Campaign (NCDC)

EPA established NCDC to promote strategies that reduce harmful emissions from 

America’s diesel engines. Through regulatory and innovative approaches, NCDC 

addresses new diesel engines as well as the millions already in use. 

Did You Know?

■ Eliminating unnecessary freight idling can save 

thousands of gallons of diesel fuel per day.

■ Low sulfur fuels have a cleaning effect on the 

engine, which reduces maintenance costs and 

extends oil change intervals.

■ Switching to fuels with lower sulfur levels 

reduces sulfur dioxide and PM emissions and 

enhances the effectiveness of retrofit technologies.

■ Diesel particulate filters used with ultra-low 

sulfur diesel fuel reduce PM by 90 percent.

■ Diesel oxidation catalysts reduce PM by 20 to 

40 percent.

For More Information

To learn more about Clean Ports USA, visit 

www.epa.gov/cleandiesel/ports. 

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“Because there are so many

ways to reduce emissions, every

port can find a way to participate in Clean Ports USA.”

Meredith Martino

Manager of Government Relations

and Environmental Policy	

American Association of

Port Authorities

Why Reduce Diesel Emissions from Ports?

Reducing exposure to diesel exhaust from vehicles, 

equipment, and marine vessels at ports is important for 

public health and the environment. The exhaust, which 

contains particulate matter (PM) and nitrogen oxides 

(NOx), increases ozone levels and contributes to regional haze. This pollution has been linked to respiratory and 

cardiovascular illnesses. Diesel exhaust is also the largest anthropogenic source of black carbon emissions—a 

contributor to climate change. 

Clean Ports USA, part of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)’s National Clean Diesel Campaign 

(NCDC), partners with ports and fleet owners, as well as 

national, state, and local entities, to reduce diesel emissions through the use of verified emission control technologies and innovative operational strategies. 

Why Take Action Now?

With freight shipments forecasted to increase, port 

authorities need to move additional cargo more 

efficiently and with fewer environmental impacts. Innovative ports are getting ahead of the curve by developing emission inventories and taking advantage of funding and technology assistance available through Clean 

Ports USA to improve the environmental performance of 

their fleets. 

How Do Ports Benefit?

By taking voluntary action, port leaders: 

■ Enrich their bottom line by saving fuel and 

increasing operational efficiency.

■ Measure, track, and reduce emissions.

■ Lower public health risks for asthma, respiratory 

illnesses, and cardiovascular disease for port 

employees and local communities.

■ Enhance relationships with neighboring 

communities. 

■ Improve customer relationships by providing 

incentives to fleet partners.

■ Receive national recognition. 

Cost-Effective Strategies

Many technological and operational solutions 

reduce diesel emissions from cargo-handling 

equipment, marine and port vessels, ferries, trucks, 

and rail equipment, while also supporting the port’s 

business interests through improvements in equipment maintenance, safety, and reliability. 

Clean technology strategies include:

■ Maintaining and operating engines properly.

■ Retrofitting equipment, vehicles, and vessels with 

EPA-verified aftertreatment technologies.

■ Repowering old engines with newer, cleaner 

engines that use cleaner fuel or highway 

engines manufactured to stricter EPA standards.

■ Replacing diesel equipment with more efficient 

models that meet more stringent EPA standards.

■ Using idle reduction technology, including auxiliary power units (APUs), cold ironing, or shore 

power. 

■ Using cleaner fuels such as ultra-low sulfur diesel, electricity, emulsified fuel, biodiesel blends, 

liquefied petroleum gas, or natural gas.

■ Using hybrid or genset yard locomotives.

Operational strategies include:

■ Improved container management, such as IT 

in-gate management, cargo tracking, and 

employee identification; efficient container 

stacking; and direct intermodal transfers.

■ Efficient freight movement, such as on-dock 

rail in lieu of trucks and use of full rail loads.

■ Reduced idling from gate efficiencies, terminal 

designs, and Web-based appointment systems 

or chassis pools that shorten queues; as well as 

idling restrictions and technologies. 

NCDC provides a great online resource for port 

authorities looking to become environmental leaders 

by reducing diesel emissions. Visit www.epa.gov/

cleandiesel/ports for additional information, including:

■ Examples of port authorities’ clean air 

action plans.

■ Case studies of EPA grant-funded projects.

■ Information on emission reduction technologies 

and strategies.

■ Funding opportunities.

■ Sample language for contract specifications for 

cleaner construction techniques.

Funding Opportunities

EPA provides grants and innovative financing mechanisms to port authorities and state and local agencies 

for verified, cost-effective technologies and to help 

bring emerging technologies to port communities. 

The Diesel Emissions Reduction provisions in the 

Energy Policy Act of 2005 are significant funding 

sources for leading port authorities and state and loca

agencies as part of Clean Ports USA. Priority is given 

to projects that maximize public health benefits in 

areas receiving a disproportionate amount of air pollution from ports, rail yards, terminals, and distribution 

centers. Visit www.epa.gov/cleandiesel/grantfund.htm 

for the latest information on funding opportunities. 

www.epa.gov/cleandiesel/ports www.epa.gov/cleandiesel/ports www.epa.gov/cleandiesel/ports

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