Virginia Reduces Air Emissions Despite Cargo Growth

The Virginia Port Authority (VPA) continues to reduce air pollution from its terminals in Hampton Roads Harbor as a result of steps taken to modernize equipment, utilize low-emissions diesel fuel and incentivize the use of clean diesel and fuel-saving technology.

The reductions are reflected in a comprehensive air emissions inventory of operations at the VPA’s marine terminals in 2011. The study was commissioned by the VPA as part of its ongoing, proactive environmental policy.

Emissions, because they are mostly invisible, sometimes get lost in the conversation about larger environmental projects and efforts,” said Heather L. Wood, the VPA’s environmental affairs director. “The emissions inventory is among the drivers of our overall environmental program; it has an impact on several policies. It speaks to the efficiency of our operations and helps pinpoint areas that warrant further study.

The VPA began modeling emissions from marine terminal operations in 2004 and has updated the emissions inventory in 2005, 2008 and 2011. Since the initial inventory, the VPA has:
Port-related emissions generated from all cargo handling modes within the Hampton Roads Hampton Roads Ozone Attainment/Maintenance Area were modeled and evaluated. The evaluated modes included: ocean-going vessels; ship assist tugs known as harbor craft; cargo handling equipment; rail locomotives; and on-road heavy duty vehicles, which are primarily over-the-road trucks.

VPA says the methodology employed in preparing the emission inventories was consistent with U.S. Environmental Protection Agency best practices for mobile sources. Emissions levels were calculated using an integrated terminal capacity model developed by an engineering firm to assess activity and operational efficiency levels based on cargo throughput at the terminals.

The results of the 2011 inventory report emissions reductions for all criteria pollutants among all modes transporting containerized cargo through Hampton Roads are:

During 2004-2011, when cargo volume increased 28 percent, criteria pollutants from VPA and VIT’s marine terminal operations alone declined depending on the pollutant, as shown below:

CO = -85 percent 
NOx = -85 percent
PM = -88 percent
SO2 = -99 percent
CO2 = -74 percent