For the fifteenth year in a row, the Port of Vancouver USA has demonstrated its continued commitment to sustainable business practices and highlighted successes with its 2023 Sustainability Report — an annual report of the port’s “We Can!” Sustainability Task Force.

“Sustainability efforts continue to be a priority for port operations, as we can see benefits for people, planet and profit,“ said Environmental Services Director, Mary Mattix. “This program strives to improve operational efficiency, leading to reduced operational costs and a smaller environmental footprint. Additionally, the consistency of our efforts allows the port to continuously improve our work in environmental stewardship, social equity and economic viability.”

The report takes stock of the work of the organization-wide We Can! Sustainability Task Force, which identifies areas of improvement and sets goals and targets to align with the port’s Strategic Plan in three areas of sustainability: people, planet and profit.

Highlights from the 2023 Sustainability Report include:

Social Equity – “People”:

  • Conducted ten public tours in 2023 totaling 450 participants. Additional tours were provided to partner organizations and industry related groups.
  • Awarded the port’s $10,000 Community Fund to three local organizations. Awards went to Vancouver Farmers Market, WHY Community and Foundation for Vancouver Public Schools – Career and Technical Education.
  • Participated in programs such as the Fircrest Neighborhood Association’s annual National Night Out and Fruit Valley Neighborhood’s Movie Night at the Park. These events allow us to share port information with individuals and families throughout the port district.
  • Hosted three in-person port lectures at the historic Kiggins Theatre. Lectures highlighted the work of the Columbia River Bar Pilots; a POV Marine and Commercial outlook; and an overview of trade with the Washington Council on International Trade. Overall, the lecture series drew and attendance of approximately 500 people.
  • In 2023, the port used a variety of mediums to reach a wide and diverse audience about port programs and activities. Digital and print communication methods continue to be important means of engaging with port constituents, including newsletters, television, social media and radio broadcasts.

Environmental Stewardship – “Planet”

  • Over the past 12 years, the port has worked to increase the population of Purple Martins in Southwest Washington. Last year we were able to confirm over 60 successful hatches at our nesting gourds near the wetland mitigation bank (up from 43 in 2022) and an all-time high for the site. In 2023 the state’s wildlife agency deemed the banding and tracking of hatchlings unnecessary due to the positive results of the project and the increase in species population.
  • Began site preparations for a pilot project to expand pollinator habitat at the mitigation bank in partnership with the Vancouver Bee Project. Plantings are planned for fall of 2024.
  • Continued support of the Lower Columbia Estuary Partnership (LCEP) on educating Vancouver students about healthy watersheds, plant species and animals at Vancouver Lake.
  • After a successful trial of renewable diesel in a few pieces of port equipment in 2022, the port switched its entire fleet of port-operated diesel equipment to renewable diesel in 2023.
  • Reduced idle time on POV vehicles and equipment resulting in a reduction of 7,766.81 idling hours in 2023 compared to 2022. This reduction equated to savings infuel purchases and associated greenhouse gas emissions in 2023.

Economic Vitality – “Profit”

  • Continued to have clean audits from the Washington State Auditor’s Office looking at port’s internal controls to safeguard public assets. Those efforts paid off as we celebrated our 14th consecutive clean audit for our 2022 work.
  • Key pieces of equipment were added to the maintenance shop to limit previously outsourced work so port teams could perform the work in-house to control cost, quality and schedule.
  • Diversified revenue:
    • Despite the challenges with the global economy, our continued efforts with strategic investments and diversification of revenue sources, contributed to the port’s revenue in 2023, which in turn, is reinvested to keep the port’s buildings and assets functioning.
    • 2023 marked a record year for vehicle imports at the port. Over 98,000 Subarus traversed Berth 10 after their transit from Japan.
    • Shortly after its completed refurbishment in 2023, Berth 17 (former Alcoa dock) welcomed a Maritime Administration (MARAD) logistics vessel, the SS Curtiss, beginning its long-term layberth at the port. The SS Curtiss will utilize electricity for its power needs while at berth instead of burning fossil fuels with the newly installed shorepower capabilities at Berth 17.

Click here to download the full Port of Vancouver 2023 Sustainability Report.