Transition to renewable diesel provides major emissions reductions at Port of Long Beach
- Metro Ports
- Apr 10
- 2 min read
Metro Ports announced April 8 a significant environmental milestone in its voluntary efforts to reduce greenhouse-gas emissions.
A new review of its 2023-’24 emissions data confirms that the transition to renewable diesel (R99) has led to an 85 percent reduction in carbon emissions from Metro’s Port of Long Beach operations.
By switching from conventional diesel to R99 renewable diesel—made from renewable sources like used cooking oil and agricultural waste—Metro Ports has drastically cut its carbon footprint while continuing to grow its operations.
The latest emissions study found:
Total scope 1 emissions dropped by 85 percent, from 774 metric tons in 2023 to 118 in 2024.
Fossil fuel-related CO2 emissions fell by 86 percent as Metro’s reliance on traditional diesel decreased.
Biofuel CO2 emissions increased as the port transitioned to renewable energy sources. Unlike fossil fuels, biofuels release recently absorbed carbon from the atmosphere, making them a much cleaner alternative.
“Even with a 3 percent increase in fuel consumption, our emissions decreased—demonstrating that environmental responsibility and business growth can go hand in hand,” said Lee Swietlikowski, the president of Metro Ports, which is a division of Nautilus International Holding Corp.
“For years, the Port of Long Beach has been a leader in advancing sustainable goods movement,” said Mario Cordero, the executive director of the Port of Long Beach. “Metro Ports’ commitment to renewable diesel is another important step toward reducing our environmental impact. By voluntarily transitioning to R99 and significantly cutting emissions, Metro Ports demonstrates how forward-thinking leadership and environmental responsibility can go hand in hand. We commend Metro Ports for their dedication to cleaner operations and ongoing efforts to support the port’s broader sustainability goals.”
Metro Ports refined its emissions-tracking process to validate these achievements and ensure accurate and transparent reporting.
Key improvements included:
Measuring emissions based on actual fuel usage rather than estimates.
Verifying fuel data through supplier invoices to confirm accuracy.
Updating calculations to reflect the full impact of R99 renewable diesel.
Conducting site-specific emissions analyses at all Port of Long Beach locations.
“Nautilus and our subsidiaries are committed to sustainable operations and will continue to explore innovative ways to reduce our environmental impact,” said Robert Owens, the president and CEO of Nautilus International Holding. “Our success at the Port of Long Beach is just one step toward a cleaner future.”
With a strong presence along the U.S. West, Gulf, and East coasts, as well as the Great Lakes, Metro Ports operates in over 30 ports across 10 states nationwide.
