Port of Cleveland Sets New Standard for Sustainable Operations
The Port of Cleveland is moving forward with its plans to be a national leader in sustainable maritime operations and is setting the standard for environmental stewardship on the Great Lakes.
In September, the Port began renovating its largest warehouse, Warehouse A, which was built in 1975. The project includes installation of rooftop solar panels, battery energy storage, and microgrid technology in partnership with Cleveland Public Power. Additional upgrades include structural steel repairs, new concrete flooring, a new roof, window replacements, updated lighting, and a state-of-the-art overhead crane.
The microgrid technology will support future electrification efforts, including charging stations, electrified cargo handling equipment, switching locomotives, mobile harbor cranes, and ship power at dock.
In October 2024, the Port announced it had been awarded the largest grant in its history — nearly $95 million from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) as part of the $3 billion EPA Clean Ports Program. The grant covers 90% of project costs aimed at significantly reducing the Port’s carbon footprint, with the remaining 10% funded through private and public contributions.
As part of the Clean Ports Program, the Port will implement a series of sustainability initiatives through partnerships with Logistec USA Inc. and Great Lakes Towing, operators of the Port of Cleveland general cargo terminal and tugboat shipyard in Cleveland harbor. The multi-phase infrastructure and electrification project is expected to reduce carbon emissions from port operations by 40% and improve operational efficiency, with completion anticipated by December 2028.
These efforts are a major step toward achieving the goals outlined in the Port’s Climate Action Plan, which calls for net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. Once completed, the Port of Cleveland will be the first Great Lakes port to implement such an ambitious and comprehensive decarbonization strategy, reinforcing its leadership in climate-forward maritime innovation.