Port Houston charges up its terminal tractor fleet
Port Houston is heading the charge towards a more sustainable future for the port terminal industry in North America with its firm commitment to environmental leadership. Kalmar’s clean, green and highly efficient Ottawa T2E electric terminal tractor is all set to plug into the terminal’s operations in December.
The Houston region is the USA’s number one for exports and home to the largest petrochemical manufacturing complex in the Americas. Energy production and the export of crude oil, along with increasing global demand for the chemicals produced in the region, are behind this success.
Another environmental leader chooses Kalmar
This year Port Houston became the first port authority in the world to make the switch to 100% renewable electricity, eliminating 25,000 tons of CO2 emissions per year in the process. Part of this effort involves the switch to electrically powered vehicles. The port already operates several electric passenger vehicles and is now turning its focus to its container-handling equipment fleet with the purchase of its first Kalmar Ottawa T2E electric terminal tractor.
The deal was championed through the local Kalmar Ottawa dealer, Briggs Equipment. “We have a fantastic relationship with Briggs Equipment, whose tireless commitment to serving Port Houston has made this deal possible,” highlights Doug Queen, Vice President, Solutions Sales, Terminal Tractors. “Port Houston’s powerful sustainability strategy is clear for all to see, and we are delighted that they have chosen the T2E to support them on their eco-efficiency journey.”
The purchase of the T2E was made possible by a Texas Emissions Reduction Plan grant from the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality.
“We are focused on improving the community where we operate and are committed to renewable energy,” explains Kenneth Gathright, Environmental Compliance Coordinator at the Port of Houston Authority. “As part of this effort we are already greening our passenger vehicle fleet. Furthermore, over 5,600 native trees have been planted as part of a public-private partnership in the Bayport Sight and Sound Berm, a three-mile-long buffer between the city of Sebook and Bayport Terminal.”