Report says electrification will boost Florida ports

Florida’s 16 seaports can benefit from modernizing and electrifying their infrastructure, a movement “critical to maintaining Florida’s position as the world’s 15th largest economy and keeping the state competitive on a global stage,” according to a new report by the Environmental Defense Fund and consultants AECOM.

The report Powering Florida: Port Electrification as a Pillar for Global Competitiveness makes a case for “how modernizing and electrifying port infrastructure can strengthen Florida’s economic leadership while improving long-term cost performance and operational efficiency,” according to the Environmental Defense Fund.

Florida has the world’s three busiest cruise ports along its Atlantic coast and altogether the ports generate more than $117 billion in economic activity and around 13% of Florida’s annual gross domestic product, according to EDF.

“Florida ports operate in a highly competitive global market,” said Rohemir Ramirez Ballagas, director of shipping and transport at the Environmental Defense Fund. “Modernizing equipment and infrastructure helps ports attract customers, improve efficiency, and reduce long-term operating costs. This report demonstrates that leadership in electrification delivers clear business advantages.”

The report was supported by the American Association of Port Authorities and produced by infrastructure consulting firm AECOM, Sarasota, Fla. 

Key findings in the paper include: 

• While some electric cargo equipment carries higher upfront costs, the study finds that lower fuel and maintenance expenses can result in meaningful long-term savings. For example, electric rubber-tired gantry cranes (eRTGs) cost about 30% more up front than diesel models but deliver average annual savings of more than $60,000 per unit over a 20-year lifespan. Electrified equipment also enables ports to stack cargo higher and use their very limited land more efficiently - a critical advantage for land-constrained Florida ports.

• Shore power infrastructure allows ships to plug into the electric grid while docked,  reducing fuel use and improving local air quality. Seven Florida ports have already installed shore power or have projects underway which will attract cruise ships, 72 percent of which are anticipated to be shore power capable by 2028.

• Modernizing ports with electric equipment builds resilience by reducing reliance on imported diesel fuel, lowers maintenance needs, and enhances operational safety. Electrification can also support long-term resilience planning, including opportunities for microgrids and advanced energy management that help ports operate during extreme weather events.

“Florida’s ports are exceptionally well positioned to capitalize on the continued growth of the maritime industry. Anchored by Port Miami, Port Canaveral, and Port Everglades, the world’s three busiest cruise ports, Florida also has significant untapped potential for cargo growth, particularly in containerized freight,” said Philip Hadfield, AECOM’s vice president, ports and marine practice leader and U.S. marine electrification lead.

“To remain competitive with other major cargo ports along the Eastern Seaboard, Florida ports must increasingly focus on terminal optimization and densification to expand capacity and improve throughput. In today’s maritime industry, this evolution is most effectively achieved through the electrification of container yards and cargo-handling equipment.”