California Cartage Company (Cal Cartage) performs trucking, warehousing, container deconsolidation, and goods distribution nationwide. In 2006, the Boards of Harbor Commissioners for the San Pedro Bay Ports adopted the Clean Air Action Plan (CAAP) to reduce diesel exhaust emissions at the ports of Long Beach and Los Angeles. Cal Cartage was one of the first port companies to adopt liquefied natural gas (LNG) trucks for port drayage. Cal Cartage also was one of the first companies to add LNG yard tractors to their operations. This project expands the Cal Cartage alternative fuel vehicle fleet with the acquisition of 12 new LNG yard tractors, bringing their total LNG yard tractor fleet to 17 vehicles.
The MSRC awarded Cal Cartage Clean Transportation Funding in the amount of $40,000 per vehicle, totaling $480,000. This was matched by over $1 million from Cal Cartage. The MSRC co-funding helps offset the incremental cost associated with the LNG engine and fuel system.
The LNG yard tractors replaced diesel vehicles at the Cal Cartage Wilminton warehouse and distribution facility. The vehicles are manufactured by Kalmar/Cargotec and are equipped with the Cummins Westport ISL G liquefied natural gas engine. As part of the design build process, Cummins took possession of the first yard truck at their test facility located in Indiana, where they engineered the engine and cooling system into the Kalmar yard tractor truck frame. This allowed the Cummins engine warranty to be provided with each yard tractor. The remaining eleven vehicles were then manufactured and delivered to Cal Cartage.
The purpose of this project was to replace 12 existing diesel-fueled yard tractors with vehicles equipped with low-emission natural gas engines. The vehicles are operated at the Cal Cartage warehouse and distribution facility located in Wilmington, CA.
All 12 yard tractors were successfully deployed and continue to operate successfully. At this time, all yard tractor operations at the Cal Cartage Wilmington facility are performed by LNG tractors. During the first year of operation, the 12 yard trucks have consumed approximately 466,206 gallons of LNG. Due to the additional LNG fuel requirements, Cal Cartage expanded the existing LNG dispensing system to accommodate both their fleet of 17 LNG yard tractors as well as Class 8 LNG drayage trucks also operated by Cal Cartage.
Each yard tractor currently operates on two shifts positioning containers at warehouse doors for unloading and then repositioning the empty containers in the yard for return to the ports. To date, the LNG yard tractors have operated very successfully. Cal Cartage did experience some mechanical maintenance issues, including a transmission problem, faulty sensor, and a fuel tank vacuum issue. However, these technical issues are not associated with the alternative fuel engine or fuel system.
Cummins Westport, LNG engine manufacturer
ALT Fuels, wholesale LNG supplier
Cal-LIft, Inc., yard truck dealerhsip