The Port Readiness Level for Marine Fuels Tool has been designed by the World Port Climate Action Program (WPCAP) in conjunction with the International Association of Ports and Harbors (IAPH) Clean Marine Fuels group. Its online version is developed and hosted by the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, in collaboration with the National Renewable Energy Lab, and funded by the U.S. Department of Energy and U.S. Department of State.
The Port Readiness Level for Marine Fuels (PRL-MF) assessment tool is an assessment framework that ports can use to self-assess their readiness and identify areas requiring further development to facilitate bunkering of a new low- or zero-carbon marine fuel. It includes a list of assessment criteria with guiding information to support port efforts across research, development, and deployment phases. The tool can be used by any relevant member of a port community, including the port authority, national maritime authority, ship operating customers, and governments.
The PRL-MF consists of nine readiness levels—largely following the schematic of the NASA Technical Readiness Level (TRL). The first three levels concern the research phase, the next three levels address the development phase and the last three levels speak to the deployment phase:
- Research Phase (PRL-MFs 1-3): The goal of the research phase is to determine the relevancy of the fuel for the port and its stakeholders. This phase will help to identify information gaps, determine pros and cons, and ascertain the interest of port stakeholders.
- Development Phase (PRL-MFs 4-6): The goal of the development phase is to make strategic decisions about implementation, create a guiding framework based on assessments and testing, and run a pilot test for the target fuel.
- Deployment Phase (PRL-MFs 7-9): This phase includes scaling-up operations, beginning with a project-based approach and growing into a systems approach that will create a regular port operation.
Each readiness level contains a list of strategies and tasks that, when completed, will help ports assess their current readiness. By examining the tasks required for each readiness level, ports can create a practical roadmap and timeline of the port ambitions. This information, along with the current port readiness level, can be made publicly available so that stakeholders can make informed decisions when investing in fuel production, ships, equipment, planning, routes, green corridors, and more.
Each of the nine levels within this process has an objective or overarching goal that can be fulfilled by completing tasks and strategies within the level. It is possible to work in multiple levels at the same time; however, levels are arranged as to inform strategic decisions at the completion of each level. Tasks in each level cover all domains, including governance, safety, infrastructure, and market, and it is recommended that the most relevant entity for each task take charge of its completion.
Strategies, tasks, and measures
These are plans and actions to be performed by appropriate stakeholders in the port community to achieve the level objective. When all relevant strategies, tasks, and measures within a level are fulfilled, the level objective is achieved. However, in cases where a level turns out to be not relevant, or will never be feasible in the port, it may be marked as Not Applicable.
Optional tasks and considerations
These include plans or actions that ports may wish to execute. The list of optional tasks and considerations within each level is meant to create structures of support for the port community towards reaching its objectives. These are generic suggestions that may not apply in every case, and they are not exhaustive. It is recommended that ports consider any additional tasks or measures that may apply to their specific port.
NOTE: Not all strategies, tasks, and measures will apply to all ports. There is an expectation that port communities will identify all strategies, tasks, and measures that are applicable for their port and work towards achieving them. Ports should provide clear reasons and documentation as to why any selected strategies, tasks, and measures are not suitable for action under their unique circumstances.
Data collection and use
Data will be stored securely and encrypted during transfer. Users have the option to make portions of their individual data available to the public to help stakeholders make informed decisions when investing in fuel production, ships, equipment, planning, routes, green corridors, and more. Anonymized, aggregate data may also be shared for these purposes.