Evergreen commits to low-sulfur diesel for yard equipment in Tacoma
The Port of Tacoma Thursday said the Evergreen Group will use ultra-low sulfur diesel fuel in all diesel-powered equipment at the port’s Pierce County Terminal.
Evergreen’s announcement comes just months after the Port of Tacoma Commission directed that all diesel equipment at port-operated facilities also utilize the low-sulfur fuel. R. Ted Bottiger, president of the Port of Tacoma Commission, said in a statement the use of ultra-low sulfur diesel reduces sulfur dioxide emissions by 97 percent.
Ultra-low sulfur diesel is not yet readily available at all North American ports, but U.S. Oil — adjacent to the Port of Tacoma — is a major refiner and supplier.
For both Pierce County Terminal and at port-operated facilities, the major users of diesel fuel are straddle carriers — three-story-tall vehicles, powered by twin-diesel engines, designed to transport containerized cargo from ship to rail.