Port wins Electrification Grant

[Port of Bellingham Press Release - August 30, 2024]  The Port of Bellingham has been awarded a $2.8 million grant for electrification of the Bellingham Shipping Terminal. This grant will reduce carbon emissions, support key climate goals in the Port’s Climate Action Strategy, and help position the Shipping Terminal as a long- term job-creator for Whatcom County and the cornerstone of a vibrant working waterfront.

The Port of Bellingham is one of 11 Washington ports to be awarded a portion of the State’s $26.5 Port Electrification Grant program. Port staff will bring the grant agreement to the Port Commission for consideration and approval.

Shore power will allow ships docked at the Bellingham Shipping Terminal to plug in to the electrical grid rather than relying on diesel engines for power. Ships can then turn off onboard generators which significantly reduces noise levels and carbon and diesel particulate matter emissions.

Electrification will help the Bellingham Shipping Terminal serve as a clean energy home base for sustainable shipping companies and escort tugs serving local barges and vessels, including those on the M-5 Coastal Connector Barge Project, a U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) - designated American Marine Highway short sea shipping green corridor to Coos Bay, Oregonand San Diego, California.

The Bellingham Shipping Terminal electrification project is expected to be complete by 2026.

The Port of Bellingham is a member of Green Marine, the leading environmental certification program for North America’s maritime industry. This project will help port operations meet the continuous improvement requirements for performance indicators with this standard. 

There is a growing trend within the shipping industry towards large battery and hybrid-powered vessels which is being driven by environmental, regulatory, and economic factors. In Puget Sound, the lack of charging infrastructure is a significant barrier towards the widespread adoption of quieter, environmentally-friendly vessels.

Electrification of the Bellingham Shipping Terminal complements several major modernization projects already underway. The Port is strengthening the main dock for heavier cargo and equipment, increasing the navigation depth to allow a much wider range of cargo, and installing a state-of-the-art stormwater management system to protect water quality. In addition, the Port recently secured a $17.9 Million federal grant to reconnect rail to the Shipping Terminal and enable the efficient transportation of marine cargo on over 32,500 miles of track in 28 states and 3 Canadian provinces.

The Bellingham Shipping Terminal is one of only 11 deep-water ports in Washington. In 2022, Washington ports handled the import and export of 55.5 Billion tons of non-containerized cargo such as automobiles, windmills and grain worth $36.5 Billion. In Whatcom County, over 6000 jobs are created or supported by marine trades representing 7% of the total workforce.