Propane Powering Ports: Suburban Propane’s Role in Driving Operational Efficiency and Sustainability

As ports adapt to increasing pressures around efficiency, resiliency, and sustainability, energy choices are more critical than ever. For over two decades, Suburban Propane has partnered with Port Newark Container Terminal (PNCT) and facilities nationwide to demonstrate how propane can support reliable, cost-effective, and environmentally responsible port operations.

A Proven Partnership with PNCT

The collaboration with PNCT began in 2000, when Inergy (later acquired by Suburban Propane in 2012) first supplied propane for the terminal’s forklifts. Propane’s dependability quickly proved its value, leading PNCT to expand its use into port tractors.

What started as a single application has evolved into a long-standing collaboration built on operational excellence, trust, and a shared commitment to lowering emissions without compromising productivity.

Supporting Ports Nationwide

PNCT, Suburban Propane supports a variety of port applications, including:

• Forklifts and material handling
• Port tractors and fleet vehicles
• Autogas fueling solutions
• Backup and distributed power generation

For example, the Port of San Francisco, propane-powered generators are used to charge newly arrived electric vehicles immediately after ships unload them. This example demonstrates propane’s versatility in bridging today’s energy needs with tomorrow’s sustainability goals.

Cleaner Energy for Today’s Port Operations

Ports face increasing regulatory and stakeholder pressure to reduce their carbon footprint. Propane provides a practical advantage: it burns cleaner than diesel, requires minimal infrastructure investment compared to full electrification, and delivers dependable, high-performance power.

According to the Propane Education & Research Council (PERC), propane-powered vehicles have a lower carbon intensity score than the electric grid in 38 states. This means propane can immediately deliver meaningful emissions reductions compared to both conventional fuels and, in many regions, even electricity.

Renewable Propane: A Growing Opportunity

While conventional propane is making an impact nationally, renewable propane is opening new opportunities in select markets. Currently available in California for vehicle applications, renewable propane is produced from sustainable feedstocks such as biomass, vegetable oils, and animal fats. It offers the same proven performance as conventional propane but with an even lower carbon intensity score.

For ports in California, renewable propane represents a powerful tool to accelerate sustainability goals without requiring costly overhauls of infrastructure or equipment. For ports outside the state, it signals what’s ahead as renewable propane becomes more widely available nationwide.

A Practical Path to Adoption

For port decision makers evaluating propane, a phased approach ensures a smooth transition:

1. Start with proven applications such as forklifts and port tractors.
2. Phase in propane equipment as older diesel assets are retired.
3. Partner with an experienced propane supplier to ensure the right tank sizing, pump installation, and fueling infrastructure are in place for efficient operations.

This strategy allows ports to reduce emissions today with conventional propane while positioning themselves to take advantage of renewable propane as supply expands.