Port adds 2 new tractors through federal grant

Two new Tier 4 tractors arrived on Guam to replace older, higher-emission diesel units currently in the Port Authority of Guam's fleet.

Tier 4 engines are the latest and cleanest technology available for diesel equipment, dramatically reducing emissions of particulate matter and nitrogen oxides that contribute to air pollution, the Port said in a release.

The new tractors will support the Port’s daily cargo handling operations, aligning with broader goals to modernize equipment and minimize the Port’s carbon footprint.

US EPA grant

The Port said the tractors are funded through the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Diesel Emissions Reduction Act grant program.

This major equipment upgrade marks another significant step in the Port’s ongoing commitment to improving operational efficiency while reducing environmental impacts, the agency said.

The Port applied for the DERA grant on Oct. 26, 2022, and was officially awarded $300,000 in federal funding on Feb. 27, 2024, with an additional $100,000 in Port funds to meet the matching requirement.

The Port moved quickly to initiate the procurement process to meet the grant deadlines and expedite the arrival of the new equipment.

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This latest award follows two previous DERA grants secured by the Port:

• FY2021 DERA State Clean Diesel Program (in partnership with the Guam Environmental Protection Agency), which funded two Tier 4 tractors with a combined $240,000, with federal and Port share; and 

• FY2021 DERA Tribal and Insular Areas Grant, which funded an additional two Tier 4 tractors through a $250,000 federal award.

With the latest acquisition, the Port has now successfully added a total of six low-emission Tier 4 tractors to its fleet under the DERA program.

“This achievement shows that the Port is moving forward together with purpose,” Port General Manager Rory J. Respicio said in a statement.

He said these new Tier 4 tractors are part and parcel to advancing the Port Readiness Plan, which is critical to securing commerce, supporting national defense, strengthening regional stability, and protecting Guam's future.

"I thank the U.S. EPA for providing the grant funding, and I thank Governor Lou Leon Guerrero, Lt. Governor Josh Tenorio, our Board, and especially our employees in Planning, Procurement, Legal and Transportation, who worked hard and worked together to make this possible," Respicio said. "I am proud of our team for taking pride in their work, staying focused on the mission, and overcoming daily challenges to keep the Port moving forward for the people of Guam.”