Port Celebrates Earth Day with Launch of World’s First Ship to Store Zero Emission Avocado Project

PORT OF HUENEME, April 22, 2019 – Continuing their legacy of commitment to the community and the environment, the Port of Hueneme joined project partners at the Port of Los Angeles on Monday to kick-off a $3 million investment to provide zero emission avocados to Ventura County and the State.The project is a result of a joint application with the Port of Los Angeles for the statewide Zero- and Near Zero- Emission Freight Facilities (ZANZEFF) Grant solicitation funded through the state’s Cap and Trade dollars.

 “Today we are celebrating the fact that we have received this $3 million grant to provide electrical infrastructure to our Port, which will support electric cranes and zero emission cargo handling equipment, including yard tractors which will strengthen our economy and improve our environment, specifically in disadvantaged communities.” said Jess Herrera, President of the Oxnard Harbor District.

Cap and Trade is a statewide initiative that puts billions of dollars to work reducing greenhouse gas emissions, strengthening the economy and improving public health and the environment — particularly in disadvantaged communities. The Port’s portion ($3 million) will fund the electrical infrastructure needed to support electric cranes and zero emission cargo handling equipment, reducing emissions at the Port. The Port will provide a $200,000 match to the grant funding for a total project cost of $3.2 million.

President of the Board of Harbor Commissioners Jess Herrera

CEO & Port Director Kristin Decas

City of Oxnard, Oxnard Chamber of Commerce, Port of Hueneme joint tour of Mission Produce New Cold Storage Facility in Oxnard, CA

The spirit of collaboration will continue as the equipment funded through the ZANZEFF grant will be utilized by the Port’s private customers to transport their cargo from the ship to the shore. This segment of the Port’s goods movement supply chain will now have the capability to be completely zero-emission. Kristin Decas, CEO & Port Director elaborated, “Today, we celebrate Earth Day as a day of partnership to clean our air, and advance technologies to innovate the path forward to cleaner air at our ports.”” In addition to the two electric yard trucks, the Port’s project will largely include the infrastructure to make charging electric cargo handling equipment feasible on-dock.

Steve Barnard, President and CEO of Mission Produce commented, “We commend the ZANZEFF partners on finding innovative ways to reduce carbon footprint. Mission prides itself on being an industry leader of innovation in the avocado category. It is great to have partners such as Port of LA and Hueneme who take the same type of initiative”.

For more information on the Port’s Green Initiatives, click here.