USTDA Promotes Green Port Development in China

(USTDA) BEIJING, China – Today, the U.S. Trade and Development Agency awarded a grant to the China Waterborne Transport Research Institute (CWTRI), an entity under China’s Ministry of Transport, to pilot a communications system that utilizes U.S. technologies to reduce greenhouse gases, improve energy efficiency and promote environmental protection at the Port of Qinhuangdao.

“This project builds upon USTDA’s long history of supporting China’s efforts to mitigate the effects of global climate change,” said USTDA Regional Director Carl B. Kress, who signed the grant alongside CWTRI President Li Yang. “This grant – which includes financial contributions from ARES Security Corporation, the U.S. company undertaking the project – demonstrates how our countries’ governments and industry are working together to combat climate change.”

The communications system featured during the pilot project will allow port operators to reduce local air pollution by monitoring ship speed and increasing the usage of onshore power sources, which is a much cleaner energy source than onboard diesel-generated power. In addition, the system will enable port managers to respond to emergencies, such as oil spills, with greater speed and accuracy, as well as to ensure that proper protocols are used to dispose of waste at port facilities. After implementation, the technologies used in the pilot project will be rolled out to other seaports in China.

This grant agreement was signed during meetings of the U.S.-China Climate Change Working Group (CCWG) and the U.S.-China Ten-Year Framework for Cooperation on Energy and Environment (TYF), which promote the exchange of best practices and solutions on pressing energy and environmental issues in China and the U.S.