The Georgia Ports Authority (GPA) has been leading the way with innovative strategies to minimize environmental impact as they look to expand the ports in anticipation of larger ships coming through the future widened Panama Canal. These strategies include installing 24 electric rubber tire gantry cranes with plans to have all 169 cranes electrified by 2022. This established GPA as the first port in North America to introduce this cleaner, more efficient technology.

GPA also installed automatic equipment stop/start units on 11 legacy switch locomotives, installed an automated gate system and extended gate hours to improve efficiency and to reduce idling from truck congestion. These efforts reduced fuel use by 290,860 gallons annually and reduced 3347 tons of harmful emissions of nitrogen oxides, particulate matter, hydrocarbons, carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide annually.

Other complimentary projects include developing LEED Silver buildings at the port, implementing stormwater runoff strategies and single stream recycling, and sponsoring the Caretta Research project, which released 212 sea turtle hatchlings. These strategies demonstrate the Georgia Port Authority’s strong commitment, not only to the environment, but to leading ports in developing best practices to save both time and money and increase efficiency.