Ceres Makes Its Mark at The Port of Hueneme with Two New Hybrid Cranes

by Community Contributor • January 11, 2021 • Comments Off

PORT OF HUENEME — Over the holiday season, the Port was in full swing preparing for two new hybrid mobile harbor cranes. Their arrival on Saturday marks another step toward further reducing emissions and greening cargo operations at “The Greenest Port in the U.S.”. These new cranes will help speed the delivery of goods to local stores, increase efficiencies, support additional cargo movement, and reduce air emissions for the surrounding community.

“Since our Board adopted the Port’s Environmental Management Framework it has guided investments like these over the past 5 years,” said Oxnard Harbor District Board President Jess J. Ramirez. “The Port continues to stand on our commitment to grow sustainably, ensuring we reduce our carbon footprint with each step forward we take.”

Ceres Terminal Holdings LLC, a stevedoring company providing RO/RO stevedoring and terminal services at the Port of Hueneme since 2005, is investing in their operations with these new electric hybrid mobile harbor cranes. Manufactured by the German company Liebherr, these cranes will join the Port’s fleet unloading and loading containers and high/heavy cargo on and off vessels from all over the world. The two new cranes, Liebherr – LHM 420 Litronic Mobile Harbor Crane models, are each equipped with two electric motors installed opposite of the latest generation of Tier 4 final diesel engines, meeting the cleanest emissions standards of the EPA.

Tier 4 engines significantly reduce emissions of particulate matter (PM) and nitrogen oxides (NOx) to near zero levels. Relative to previous emissions standards, Tier 4 engines reduce emissions by over 90%. These new cranes will plug into the Port’s new electric infrastructure coming online later this year.

Kristin Decas, CEO & Port Director expanded, “We applaud our partner company Ceres Terminal Holdings LLC for their foresight and investment, joining our endeavors as we continue to transition to a carbon-neutral Port. This investment benefits the Port’s workforce, stakeholders, and surrounding community.”

“Ceres is excited for the multiple opportunities made possible through our long-term relationship with the Port of Hueneme. Partnering with the Port of Hueneme has provided, and will continue to provide jobs and economic growth for the region. We continue to welcome the ongoing opportunity to invest in, and provide our capability for, this important relationship,” said Craig Mygatt, President and CEO, Ceres Terminals Holdings LLC.

The new crane design has been optimized for ships in the Post-Panamax class. The crane series raises and lowers loads at up to 120 meters per minute and has a maximum load capacity of 124 tons and handles up to 38 containers per hour with its hybrid drive. The crane is also suitable for the efficient handling of bulk cargoes, as well as the safe transportation of general cargoes.

Ceres Terminals Holdings LLC, headquartered in Nashville, is a leader among marine terminal operators and stevedores in North America. Operating in many of North America’s major marine ports, the company provides terminal management as well as services for all types of cargo, including container, bulk, breakbulk, automotive, project, military, cruise, intermodal facilities, RO/RO operations, and M&R services. Ceres is wholly owned by Macquarie Infrastructure Partners.

The Port of Hueneme is one of the most productive and efficient commercial trade gateways for niche cargo on the West Coast. The Port is governed by five locally elected Port Commissioners. The Port moves $10.85 billion in goods each year and consistently ranks among the top ten U.S. ports for automobiles and fresh produce. Port operations support the community by bringing $1.7 billion in economic activity and creating 15,834 trade-related jobs. Trade through the Port of Hueneme generates more than $119 million in direct and related state and local taxes, which fund vital community services. In 2017, the Port of Hueneme became the first port in California to become Green Marine certified and was voted the Greenest Port in the U.S. at the Green Shipping Summit.