Port of Detroit on Route to Reach Net Zero by 2040

THE PORT OF DETROIT CASE STUDY

The Detroit/Wayne County Port Authority takes seriously its responsibility to limit climate change from carbon emissions and to improve air quality and the overall health of residents, workers and visitors to the 1,000+ acres of cargo terminals area along the Detroit and Rouge rivers known as the Port of Detroit. Through a year-long effort of engagement with terminal operators, tugboat companies, and other essential port support operators, we have developed a reliable estimate of the greenhouse gases emanating as a result of port operations. We have also engaged with those who live, work and travel through the port to hear the call to action for cleaner air, reduced sound, vibrations, and the danger in neighborhood streets caused by trucks that haul cargo from the port every day. Finally, we have studied what other ports have done on their journey toward reducing emissions and improving health and safety and have collected best practices to perform the baseline carbon assessment for the Port of Detroit.

The total carbon emissions have been quantified at each terminal within the Port of Detroit, either using primary data provided directly from the organization or estimating based on publicly available data, for the year 2022 where possible. Emissions were calculated in metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalents (tCO₂e) per year.

The overall emissions for the Port of Detroit were found to be 30,269 tCO₂e. This total volume of carbon dioxide emitted due to port activity during 2022 is equivalent to the amount of carbon dioxide it would take to fill up Ford Field nearly 44 times. Total emissions for these three scopes are 8,425 tCO₂e for shipping, 4,145 tCO₂e for goods handling and 15,430 tCO₂e for drayage. Drayage accounts for more than half of the carbon emissions due to port activity, making up 51% of the baseline. Fuel burned during ship movement and loading/unloading represents 28% of overall emissions. Goods handling equipment accounts for 14%, yet it has a high potential for reduction as the terminal operators own this equipment, whereas large vessels and trucks are primarily owned and operated by third parties. Additionally, administrative functions of port facilities (including utilities and employee commuting) make up 7% of the overall emissions, at 2,268 tCO₂e.

PORT WIDE EMISSIONS REDUCTION STRATEGY

Below outlines the Port of Detroit’s projected pathway to net zero by 2040. These targets primarily focus on the use of biodiesel (or similar) as the immediate implementation strategy, alongside electrification and the use of other low carbon fuels. (to see the full carbon reduction timeline, view the executive summary)

• Switch to biodiesel in compatible equipment immediately.
• Biodiesel is the main strategy for large vessels.
• Electrify where possible, mainly in small vessels, goods handling equipment and trucks.
• Implement other low carbon technologies as they become cost effective and available.

To find out more about this project and it's deliverables, you can view the full project overview by clicking the button below.