The equipment funding is part of the System-Wide Investment in Freight Transport (SWIFT), an initiative funded by the California State Transportation Agency’s Port and Freight Infrastructure Program.

SWIFT is designed to support goods movement efficiency and reduce environmental impacts on neighbouring communities.

The bulk of the funding, $93.4 million, will allow tenants to acquire 65 fully zero-emissions cargo-handling units along with associated charging infrastructure, as well as enable harbour craft operators to replace 37 marine engines with cleaner or zero-emission options.

Additionally, the port will invest $8.3 million to design zero-emissions infrastructure at SSA Terminals at Pier A and Pacific Container Terminal at Pier J.

All cargo-handling equipment funded will be manually operated. Recipients will match at least 20 per cent of total project costs under the passthrough agreement for grants approved by the Long Beach Harbor Commission on 8 September.

Port of Long Beach CEO, Mario Cordero, said: “The Port of Long Beach is on the road to zero emissions, leveraging demonstration projects, investments and grants to reach a greener future.

“I’d like to thank Gov. Gavin Newsom, Transportation Secretary Toks Omishakin and the state Legislature for their commitment to investing in the future of the supply chain.”

READ: Port of Long Beach throughput climbs 7 per cent in July

Long Beach Harbor Commission President, Frank Colonna, stated: “A core value of the Port of Long Beach is to support good-paying jobs while also making strides to protect the environment.

“This helps our industry partners invest in new, cleaner equipment so they can continue their work to efficiently move cargo at the nation’s busiest port complex, while also laying out a path to zero emissions at two of our terminals.”

Earlier this July, the Port of Long Beach appointed Don Kwok as its new Director of Finance.