EPA's $2.8bn Clean Ports Push to Modernise US Supply Chains

The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has allocated US$2.8bn under its Clean Ports Program to fund zero-emissions port equipment and infrastructure.
The initiative marks a significant step in transforming US ports into sustainable hubs, helping to reduce emissions while boosting efficiency in vital supply chains across 27 states and territories.
By targeting emissions at ports, a key component of the national supply chain, this programme seeks to address environmental and health concerns in nearby communities.
It builds on the EPA’s existing Ports Initiative, a programme aimed at improving air quality and reducing diesel emissions at these essential logistics hubs.
A path to zero-emissions ports
The Clean Ports Program divides its funding into two main categories: the Climate and Air Quality Planning (CAQP) Competition and the Zero-Emission Technology Deployment (ZE Tech) Competition. Each addresses specific elements of port sustainability.
The CAQP competition focuses on climate and air quality planning, helping port authorities and stakeholders prepare for long-term zero-emissions operations.
In contrast, ZE Tech funds the deployment of equipment and infrastructure—such as battery-electric and hydrogen-powered drayage trucks, cargo handling equipment, locomotives and vessels. It also supports solar energy generation and vessel shore power systems, which allow ships to plug into electrical power instead of relying on diesel while docked.
Key objectives of the programme include:
- Accelerating the transition to zero-emissions operations across the port sector, influencing the wider freight industry.
- Reducing diesel pollution in communities near ports, with an emphasis on areas facing environmental justice challenges.
- Integrating community engagement and emissions reduction planning as standard practices within the port industry.
In total, the Clean Ports Program will fund more than 1,500 pieces of zero-emissions cargo handling equipment, 1,000 drayage trucks, 10 locomotives and 20 vessels.
The initiative also includes modernisation efforts like the installation of more than 300 charging ports and extensive renewable energy projects, such as solar generation and battery energy storage systems.
Investments in major port hubs
Some of the largest US ports are receiving significant funding to implement zero-emissions technologies and infrastructure. These projects aim to make ports more sustainable while maintaining their role as vital supply chain nodes:
- Port of Los Angeles: Receiving US$411m, it will deploy 250 zero-emissions drayage trucks and 300 charging ports. Other upgrades include electric cargo handling equipment, solar energy systems, and vessel shore power to reduce emissions while ships are docked.
- Port of Oakland: Awarded US$322m, it will add 475 zero-emissions drayage trucks and expand charging infrastructure. Hydrogen-powered equipment will also be introduced to diversify clean energy use.
- Port of San Diego: Securing US$58m, it will deploy electric cargo handling equipment and medium- to heavy-duty zero-emissions vehicles, alongside new vessel shore power systems.
Other states are also using their funding to invest in port sustainability. For example, New York and New Jersey are jointly receiving US$344m to introduce electric cargo handling equipment and drayage truck and Maryland’s Port of Baltimore has been awarded US$146m for similar upgrades.
Supporting broader supply chain modernisation
The Clean Ports Program is not only transforming port infrastructure but also creating opportunities for innovation and collaboration across the logistics sector.
For instance, Utah’s Salt Lake City Intermodal Terminal is investing US$110m to deploy electric locomotives and cargo equipment while building solar power and charging infrastructure.
Delaware, Georgia and Connecticut are using their allocations to focus on electric charging and cargo-handling systems, with Delaware’s Port of Wilmington receiving US$127m to build electric equipment and expand its charging capacity. Hawaii’s US$56m award, meanwhile, uniquely focuses on hydrogen fuelling infrastructure, a key addition for Honolulu Harbour.
These investments align with the National Zero-Emission Freight Corridor Strategy, which outlines the development of a sustainable freight system across the US. Many of the funded projects complement the strategy’s goals, supporting the development of electric and hydrogen fuelling infrastructure while encouraging public and private collaboration.
Looking ahead
As projects funded by the Clean Ports Program move into their implementation phase in 2025, fleets, operators and communities will begin to see the tangible benefits of this investment.
Enhanced infrastructure will provide cleaner air, reduce environmental harm and strengthen the economic competitiveness of US ports, all while creating new jobs in the clean energy sector.
With such a significant funding push, the EPA has laid the groundwork for ports to serve as catalysts for change in the freight industry.
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