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PORT OF DETROIT DECARBONIZATION AND AIR QUALITY IMPROVEMENT PLAN

The Port of Detroit began on a transformative journey to decarbonize its operations, establishing a new benchmark for sustainable port management. This page provides an overview of the strategies, challenges, and successes encountered in reducing carbon emissions and enhancing operational efficiency.
  • THE PORT OF DETROIT IS NOW ON ROUTE TO REACH NET ZERO BY 2040

About

THE PROJECT

The Detroit/Wayne County Port Authority underwent an ambitious decarbonization project, with the goal to reduce the port’s environmental impact, and improve sustainability. The project was initiated by the Port Authority, in collaboration with Tunley Environmental and Southwest Detroit Environmental Vision. Tuley Environmental engaged private businesses to provide activity data from which to calculate emissions and collaborate to form a net zero roadmap. With the emissions inventory covering shipping, goods handling, and local trucking for private businesses, and high levels of data transparency, the port of Detroit is at the forefront of carbon reporting among ports in the Great Lakes.

Detroit River

 

PROJECT OUTCOMES AND DELIVERABLES

Executive Summary
DOWNLOAD THE EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
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Testimonial
THE PORT EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Mark Schrupp1

"Excellent work from Rob, Emily and the entire team at Tunley Environmental. I wholeheartedly recommend Tunley to help organizations develop baseline calculations and creatively develop a pathway to green."

Mark Schrupp, Executive Director
Detroit/Wayne County Port Authority

Interactive Project Map
VIEW INDIVIDUAL TERMINAL RESULTS
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Press
FOX 2 NEWS PRESS RELEASE
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Videos
THE PORT OF DETROIT
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Resources
USEFUL RESOURCES ON BIOFUEL
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PARTNERSHIPS

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Port of Detroit

The Detroit Wayne County Port Authority is a government agency advancing southeast Michigan’s maritime and related industries with the purpose of delivering prosperity and economic benefit to our citizens and businesses.

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Tunley Environmental

Our services are designed to help create a real sustainable difference throughout your whole business, enabling you to reduce and offset your carbon footprint.

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Southwest Detroit Environmental Vision

Southwest Detroit Environmental Vision (SDEV) is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to improve the environment and strengthen the economy of Southwest Detroit.

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Port of Detroit

The Detroit Wayne County Port Authority is a government agency advancing southeast Michigan’s maritime and related industries with the purpose of delivering prosperity and economic benefit to our citizens and businesses.

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Tunley Environmental

Our services are designed to help create a real sustainable difference throughout your whole business, enabling you to reduce and offset your carbon footprint.

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Southwest Detroit Environmental Vision

Southwest Detroit Environmental Vision (SDEV) is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to improve the environment and strengthen the economy of Southwest Detroit.

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Port of Detroit

The Detroit Wayne County Port Authority is a government agency advancing southeast Michigan’s maritime and related industries with the purpose of delivering prosperity and economic benefit to our citizens and businesses.

Read More
Client Logos-63
Read More
Tunley Environmental

Our services are designed to help create a real sustainable difference throughout your whole business, enabling you to reduce and offset your carbon footprint.

Read More
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Southwest Detroit Environmental Vision

Southwest Detroit Environmental Vision (SDEV) is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to improve the environment and strengthen the economy of Southwest Detroit.

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TERMINAL OPERATOR ENGAGEMENT

Throughout the project there has been continuous engagement with all stakeholders, terminal operators, local communities and more. It has been an important aspect of the project to keep everyone involved informed on the progress. Holding port committee meetings as well as lunch & learn catch ups to see project updates and progress.

Low Carbon Port Committee: Comprised of terminal operators and businesses with maritime activity, working together to reduce carbon emissions and seek funding to implement cleaner technology.

Port of Detroit Decarbonization Advisory Board: Comprised of community members, environmental justice organizations to ensure the port region is on track to reduce emissions.

What Is The Reason Behind The Project?

BENEFITS OF PORT DECARBONIZATION

The Decarbonization will have significant benefits for the businesses and the wider community, including reduced emissions, increased efficiency, improved air quality, and improved environmental sustainability. In addition, the project is expected to increase efficiency and generate cost savings in the port and surrounding area.

Gradient Icons-72  Enhanced Operational Efficiency
Gradient Icons-132  Improved Air Quality
Gradient Icons-84-1  Future-Proofing Operations
Graident Icons-112  Increased Attractiveness for Investment

Gradient Icons-59  Global Leadership
Gradient Icons-139  Regulatory compliance
Gradient Icons-116  Competitive Edge vs Other Ports
Biodiversity Icons-25  Mitigation of Environmental Damage

PROJECT PUBLICATIONS

PORT DECARBONIZATION

Tunley Environmental23 Aug 20245 min read

How Port Decarbonisation Enhances Sustainability in Maritime Industry

The global maritime industry, estimated to be responsible for transporting over 80% of the world’s goods, is also a significant ...
Start Reading
Tunley Environmental9 Jul 20244 min read

Navigating the New Fuel Restriction Laws on Arctic Shipping

Starting July 1st, ships passing through the Arctic can no longer operate using Heavy Fuel Oil (HFO). HFO is a by-product of ...
Start Reading
Tunley Environmental10 May 20245 min read

Green Shipping Corridors: All You Need to Know

The global shipping industry stands at a critical juncture which will determine how it operates over the next century. Facing ...
Start Reading
Tunley Environmental19 Nov 20241 min read

Tunley Environmental Joins Green Marine Partnership

Tunley Environmental is now an official partner of Green Marine, a leading environmental certification program for the North ...
Start Reading
Tunley Environmental7 Nov 20243 min read

Port of Detroit Awarded $24 million by EPA for Green Upgrades

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), in a historic move toward green infrastructure, announced $3 billion in funding ...
Start Reading
Tunley Environmental3 Oct 20245 min read

Outlook on Maritime Decarbonisation to 2050

The maritime industry is undergoing a profound transformation as the global push for decarbonisation intensifies. With ...
Start Reading
Tunley Environmental23 Aug 20245 min read

How Port Decarbonisation Enhances Sustainability in Maritime Industry

The global maritime industry, estimated to be responsible for transporting over 80% of the world’s goods, is also a significant ...
Start Reading
Tunley Environmental9 Jul 20244 min read

Navigating the New Fuel Restriction Laws on Arctic Shipping

Starting July 1st, ships passing through the Arctic can no longer operate using Heavy Fuel Oil (HFO). HFO is a by-product of ...
Start Reading
Tunley Environmental10 May 20245 min read

Green Shipping Corridors: All You Need to Know

The global shipping industry stands at a critical juncture which will determine how it operates over the next century. Facing ...
Start Reading
Tunley Environmental19 Nov 20241 min read

Tunley Environmental Joins Green Marine Partnership

Tunley Environmental is now an official partner of Green Marine, a leading environmental certification program for the North ...
Start Reading
Tunley Environmental7 Nov 20243 min read

Port of Detroit Awarded $24 million by EPA for Green Upgrades

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), in a historic move toward green infrastructure, announced $3 billion in funding ...
Start Reading
Tunley Environmental3 Oct 20245 min read

Outlook on Maritime Decarbonisation to 2050

The maritime industry is undergoing a profound transformation as the global push for decarbonisation intensifies. With ...
Start Reading