Written on: July 28, 2024
The Port Newark Container Terminal (PNCT) coordinates shipments by ocean, rail, road, air and pipeline and has a reputation for taking proactive steps to lower its carbon emissions. For instance, PCNT now moves over 25% of its ship volume via rail, massively reducing the overall carbon footprint. Furthermore, PNCT is one of the only Container Ports in the world to use part of its active operational footprint (10 acres) that provides a dual purpose, in-terminal solar energy generation by using elevated photovoltaic solar panel canopies. PNCT anticipates this ambitious 7.2 MegaWatt solar initiative project will supply up to 50% of the terminal’s annual electrical demand with renewable energy.
In its ongoing effort to reduce its carbon footprint, PNCT wrapped up an emissions study a year ago evaluating propane-powered port tractors. The results were staggering: the propane vehicles were up to 99% cleaner than diesel.
A year after the study, last week on July 25th, many PNCT stakeholders gathered with a number of representatives of the propane industry to celebrate PNCT’s next step on their path to zero emissions: PNCT now has 20 propane-powered port tractors for improved sustainability and operational efficiency. They are committed to replacing the remaining 25 diesel-powered tractors over the next year. A large number of representatives were from Suburban Propane, PNCT’s longtime supplier, whose President & CEO, Mike Stivala told attendees their vendor-client relationship with PNCT is a strategic partnership.
At an event that included multiple tours of the facility on a bus, a lunch served for employees, stakeholders, and others and remarks from several leaders who have been on the cutting edge of PNCT’s environmental improvement efforts, The Propane Education & Research Council (PERC) presented PNCT leaders with an Energy for Everyone Hero Award.
PERKINS PRAISES PNCT FOR ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENTS
“We’re here today to celebrate cleaner air, happier employees and a stronger community,” said Tucker Perkins, 
President & CEO of PERC. “But I would back up and say I think all of that is second to celebrating leadership.” Perkins said he is honored to be a part of working with PNCT leadership who have made bold decisions to benefit their shareholders and employees by investing in efforts to provide a cleaner working environment. “We’re proud of the role that propane plays. The Port Newark Container Terminal is a shining example of this important mission making a significant investment in propane. Propane-powered port tractors today and other propane equipment tomorrow will drastically reduce emissions.”
Perkins said the move from diesel to propane would cut nitrogen emissions by 99%. “These are emissions that cause asthma, bronchitis, and COPD in older adults,” he said. He noted particulate matter, a known carcinogen harmful to everyone at all ages would be cut by 99% as well and he shared that carbon dioxide emissions, known for their role in creating greenhouse gas emissions would be cut by 14% in the current class of technology and 25% in the next class of technology. “The investment in propane port tractors is 40% less than their electric counterparts,” he said. “And they’re reliable. The busiest ports in the country cannot afford to be down. They cannot afford to be impacted when the electric grid is down.”
Perkins commended the PNCT team for having the character to be willing to go against the status quo. As he presented the Energy for Everyone Hero Award, he praised PNCT for their investment in the propane-powered port tractors, their dedication for researching their best solutions and their commitment to a safe, clean and healthy environment for their employees and shareholders.
PELLICCIO THANKS ALL WHO ARE PLAYING A ROLE IN TRANSFORMATION
After receiving the Energy for Everyone Hero Award, Jim Pelliccio, President & CEO of the PNCT thanked all who have 
played a role in the transformation of PNCT to a more environmentally friendly facility. “As we grow as a community, we continue to realize we have an increasing obligation to the community we live in and serve,” Pelliccio said. “A lot of work went into the technical and operational details of implementing the propane-powered port tractors. We recognize we can make a difference and we are committed to action, not words. There was very little risk in these changes as all of the facts made the path we should take very clear.”
