Cargo Handling Equipment at Ports and Rail Yards

In December 2022, New Jersey adopted the Mobile Cargo Handling Equipment at Ports and Intermodal Rail Yards rule. For specifics on this adoption and the adopted rule language, see N.J.A.C. 7:27-34.

This rule will help modernize some of the oldest diesel-powered equipment in the State. It will clean up equipment used near some of the most densely populated areas and reduce NOx and particulate matter especially in Environmental Justice communities.

Applicability

Applicability

  • Any person who owns or operates a terminal or business at a port in the State and operates cargo handling equipment at that location.
  • Any person who owns or operates an intermodal rail yard in the State and operates cargo handling equipment at that location.
  • Any person conducting business in the State who sells, offers for sale, leases, rents, or purchases any cargo handling equipment or engine that is used at any port or intermodal rail yard in the State.
  • Excludes low throughput facilities over 75 miles from urban areas
  • Extension for low use cargo handling equipment
  • Extension for manufacturing delay
  • Extension for over compliance with ZEV

Reporting

Reporting

  • All regulated businesses at ports and railyards must report on their Cargo Handling Equipment inventory as of January 1, 2024 by August 1, 2024.
    • Data to include: equipment make, model, year, and engine size and tier
  • Usage data shall be from 2023
    • Usage data to include: hours of use, fuel usage, and seasonality if applicable

Phase-in Schedule

Phase-in Schedule

New equipment

Starting 3/1/2025, must be Tier 4F or the current model year on-road.

Existing equipment

The Phase-in Schedule is based on CARB rule and moving to Tier 4F which is a mature technology on the market for over 10 years.

Cargo handling equipment with an on-road engineCargo handling equipment with an off-road engineCompliance deadline
Pre-1998 model yearTier 0March 1, 2025
1998-2003 model yearTier 1March 1, 2026
2004-2006 model yearTier 2March 1, 2027
2007-2009 model yearTier 3 and Tier 4 interimMarch 1, 2028

Questions?

stopthesoot@dep.nj.gov