SC Port's Authority — Striving to be the Greenest Port in the Southeast

As part of the construction of the container terminal, SC Ports has undertaken one of the largest environmental and community mitigation packages in South Carolina.

SC Ports recognizes the importance of maintaining and improving air quality in surrounding communities, as well as minimizing emissions from port operations. The new Hugh K. Leatherman Terminal boosts 5 new full-electric ship to shore cranes.

In addition, the new Terminal has 25 new hybrid rubber-tired gantry cranes (RTGs).  The ZPMC-built RTGs will use battery-hybrid technology; a smaller diesel generator charges the batteries and the cranes operate on battery power. The batteries, supplied by Corvus Energy, are expected to reduce fuel consumption by around 70% when compared to conventional diesel port cranes.

The cranes will use regenerative braking energy, which is captured and stored as electricity when a container is lowered. The recaptured energy reduces the amount of power required from the generator.

The new RTGs run 100% on electric battery power, meaning diesel-only runs as a backup when the batteries need to be recharged, effectively reducing idling time.

Additionally, a smaller generator — which runs fewer total hours — greatly reduces maintenance costs for the hybrid RTG and significantly lowers fuel consumption and particulate matter, greenhouse gas, and other air emissions from exhaust.

This significant investment in new equipment demonstrates SC Ports’ commitment to striving to be the greenest port in the Southeast.