Carbon Footprint Study for

the Asia to North America

Intermodal Trade

Item No. 7c supp.

Date of Meeting May 5, 2009

Overview

• Concern about greenhouse gas impacts

• First assessment to evaluate the carbon

impacts of the transportation supply chain

from origin to destination

• Conducted by Herbert Engineering

Methodology

• Analysis determined tons carbon dioxide equivalent per

TEU from Asia to points in U.S. mainland

• Vessel sizes: 4,500 to 12,500 TEU

• Asian Origin Ports:

– Shanghai, Hong Kong, Singapore

• North American Ports:

– Prince Rupert, Seattle, Los Angeles/Long Beach, Houston,

Savannah, Norfolk, New York/New Jersey

• North American Destination Cities:

– Chicago, Columbus, Memphis

Methodology

• Routings:

– West Coast ports and intermodal trains to destination

cities

– All-water via Panama Canal to Gulf and East Coast

Cities

– All-water via Suez Canal to Gulf and East Coast

Cities

• Independent review:

– University of Washington

– Seattle Climate Partnership

– Industry (3PLs, shippers, carriers, railroads)

Results

• The Pacific Northwest gateway offers the

lowest carbon footprint to 180,000,000

consumers in the northern half of the

United States

• The West Coast ports collectively offer a

lower carbon footprint throughout the

entire continental United States

Implications

• The West Coast ports are the most energy-

efficient gateways from Asia to U.S. consumers

• The Pacific Northwest ports have a slightly lower

carbon footprint from Asia than any other port in

North America

• This study adds data to the emerging field of

carbon footprint assessments of supply chains

• Results can give us a competitive edge

Committed to Reducing

our Footprint

• Puget Sound Maritime Air Emissions Inventory

– Most comprehensive maritime inventory to date; first to include

greenhouse gases

• Northwest Ports Clean Air Strategy

– Groundbreaking effort of the Ports of Seattle, Tacoma, and

Vancouver (B.C.) to reduce emissions from maritime operations

• Vessels

– Shore power for Holland America Line and Princess Cruises

– At-Berth Clean Fuels Vessel Incentive Program

– Required use of 1.5% (or less) sulfur fuels for cruise vessels

• Cargo-Handling Equipment

– Exhaust retrofits and cleaner fuels for cargo-handling equipment

• Trucks

– Recent Commission approval of the Port’s Clean

Truck Program