One of the world’s largest ports for energy movement will partner with one of its biggest companies to explore decarbonization projects.
Port Houston signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Shell to explore energy, mobility and decarbonization projects that will help the port reduce its carbon footprint and contribute to achieving its goal of becoming carbon neutral by 2050. Port Houston’s Sustainability Action Plan identifies 27 initiatives to lead, partner or support. The agreement with Shell is one among those initiatives.
“The Port Houston team has arranged strategic relationships with several key companies that can help drive us toward our sustainability goals,” Port Houston Executive Director Roger Guenther said. “We will achieve more by working together, and our relationship with Shell is an exciting step forward on our path to carbon neutrality.”
Under the agreement, Shell and Port Houston will identify new technology and infrastructure projects that can significantly reduce emissions. The first project will be the evaluation of the decarbonization potential at the Port’s two container terminals, the Barbours Cut Container Terminal and the Bayport Container Terminal.
“As the world works toward a more sustainable energy future, this collaboration between Shell and Port Houston will contribute to achieving decarbonization objectives,” said Glenn Wright, Shell Senior Vice President, Renewables & Energy Solutions, Americas. “Building upon our relationship as Port Houston’s renewable energy supplier, we are excited to help Port Houston reach its goal to be carbon neutral by 2050.”
Port Houston owns and operates public wharves and terminals along the Houston Ship Channel. Included among the many terminals along the channel, collectively known as the Port of Houston, vessels move more than 200 million tons of cargo, including oil and refined products, automobiles and consumer products. Shell is one of the world’s biggest oil and gas exploration and production firms and one of the port’s largest sites with a large-scale refinery located along the channel.
Port Houston aims to achieve its carbon neutrality goal by upgrading technology, using alternative fuels and clean energy and improving infrastructure and equipment. Between 2016 and 2021, Port Houston reduced its carbon footprint by 55% through initiatives, such as the use of 100% asset-backed renewable electricity.
