Sep 14 | 2021
Port Partners with Crowley, Entergy Louisiana
The Port of Lake Charles is offering a greener solution to sourcing of portside power to vessels working at its City Docks when vessels’ main and auxiliary engines are shut down.
Instead of using the ships’ onboard diesel generators to power up at the docks, the port has entered into an agreement with Crowley and Entergy Louisiana to provide shore power to Crowley tugboats while docked.
“The port is excited about this new project to better serve our customers and to help reduce local emissions,” said Richert L. Self, executive director of the Port of Lake Charles Harbor and Terminal District.
Crowley Pursues Energy Goal
Crowley said it aims to be the most sustainable and innovative maritime and logistics solutions provider in the Americas by 2025, and a key part of its strategy in the tugboat sector is to use cleaner fuels and alternative energy technology on vessels as part of the company’s progress toward decarbonization in maritime services.
“Sustainability is crucial to the communities we serve and our industry’s future,” said Greg Pavellas, director of Crowley offshore services. “The reduction in diesel usage and emissions through idling is an important step as we develop new and cleaner energy solutions that maintain our high-performance standards while protecting air quality. We look forward to working with the Port of Lake Charles and Entergy to support the Gulf region and the maritime sector.”
Jacksonville, Florida-based Crowley is a privately held, U.S.-owned logistics, government, marine and energy solutions company, providing worldwide service through four primary business units – Crowley Logistics, Crowley (Government) Solutions, Crowley Shipping and Crowley Fuels.
Shore Power Benefits
In the coming months, Entergy Louisiana will install the equipment needed to serve the Crowley tugs. Installing this infrastructure will reduce CO2 emissions by the Port by more than 500 tonnes per year.
Shore power provides environmental and economic benefits. Environmentally, it reduces the amount of greenhouse gas emissions produced by ships while berthed at port. Economically, shore power allows customers to access Entergy’s low electricity rates while also increasing operational efficiency, potentially reducing maintenance costs and wear-and-tear of engines.
“Providing our customers with energy solutions that can help reduce costs and meet environmental and sustainability goals is part of what we do at Entergy,” said Phillip May, Entergy Louisiana president and CEO. “We’re excited to help bring shore power to the Port of Lake Charles so that companies like Crowley Marine can connect to our electric grid and take advantage of affordable, clean and efficient power.”
Entergy Louisiana provides electric service to more than 1 million customers and natural gas service to more than 93,000 customers in the greater Baton Rouge area and has operations in southern, central and northern Louisiana.
The Port of Lake Charles, a top-11 U.S. deepwater port district in terms of annual cargo tonnage, will celebrate its 95th anniversary this year.
“Shore power saves consumption of fuel that would otherwise be used to power vessels while docked — reduces air pollution from the consumption of that fuel,” said Jonathan Ringo, port counsel.
Television station KPLC-TV in Lake Charles provided a video report of the coordinated effort between Port of Lake Charles, Crowley, and Entergy Louisiana.
