A voluntary port collaboration
to phase out emissions from
seaport related activities
A partnership of the
Port of Seattle,
Port of Tacoma, and
The Northwest Seaport Alliance to phase out emissions by 2050
*DPM – diesel particulate matter
*GHG – greenhouse gasses
Welcome,
Welcome to the Northwest Clean Ports website, a site dedicated to transparent and up-to-date information on the status and strategies of achieving zero emissions in the Puget Sound airshed.
In 2019, four agencies The Northwest Seaport Alliance, the Port of Seattle, the Port of Tacoma and the Vancouver-Fraser Port Authority* made a voluntary commitment to the Northwest Ports Clean Air Strategy (the Strategy), a document which commits all signatories to phase out maritime-related emissions in their harbors by 2050 or sooner. This site outlines the three U.S. agencies’ commitments to zero emissions. The Strategy is the guiding light for our shared clean air goals, and together the ports have committed to track our emissions, develop and implement strategies to transition to clean technologies across our harbors, and maintain transparency throughout the process. This site outlines the programs and actions that are part of our decarbonization strategy, and provides a way for you – the public – to track and understand the progress we are making on our clean air commitments.
Maritime emissions are complex and widespread, and while we are committed to reducing all maritime emissions, the Ports own or control very few of the emission sources across our harbors. For example, the trucks and equipment that move cargo on terminals and the ocean-going vessels that release emissions while traveling at sea and at berth are all controlled by entities outside of the Ports. This presents a unique challenge in implementing clean air solutions that are needed to reach our goal. Each part of the Strategy is uniquely formulated to address the challenges of the respective maritime sectors, and our success will ultimately come by working closely with our partners.
Join our Clean Air Quarterly newsletter to receive updates on decarbonization efforts.
EMISSIONS OVERVIEW
Learn about port operations and the ways port activities impact our environment.
STRATEGIES
Learn about the ports' commitment to zero emission operations and how we plan to achieve these goals and our approach to environmental action.
ACTIONS
Learn the specific actions the ports are implementing in each sector to achieve our zero-emission goals.
PROGRESS
Check out our Progress Dashboard where we provide an updated status reports on actions across the maritime sectors.
Founded in 1911, the Port of Seattle generates $3.9 billion in total business output and supports over 25,000 jobs. Our mission is to promote economic opportunities and quality of life in the region by advancing trade, travel, commerce and job creation in an equitable, accountable and environmentally responsible manner.
Founded in 1918, the Port serves greater Pierce County by promoting trade, supporting family-wage jobs, and improving the environment. Today, more than 42,100 jobs and nearly $3 billion in economic activity in Pierce County depend on the Port of Tacoma.
Formed in 2015, The Northwest Seaport Alliance is a marine cargo operating partnership of the Port of Seattle and Port of Tacoma. We are a leading container gateway in the United States driving 58,000 jobs across our region. The NWSA manages the container, breakbulk, auto terminals in Seattle and Tacoma.
* While the NW Clean Ports website provides updates on implementation of the Northwest Ports Clean Air Strategy, the Strategy includes a fourth signatory, the Vancouver-Fraser Port Authority in Vancouver, British Columbia. They are an important partner and a member of our shared airshed, but this website does not include Vancouver-Fraser port data. You can learn more about their progress here.