Port Marine Terminal Lighting guidelines

Version 1.0, updated August 2025

Introduction

The Port Marine Terminal Lighting (PMTL) Program is established by DarkSky International (DarkSky) to promote high-quality lighting for shoreline port terminals that minimizes light pollution, including sky glow, light trespass, obtrusive light (visible light sources and glare), and potentially harmful impacts to people, flora and fauna.

The program gives recognition to those facilities that, in addition to providing lighting for safety and their intended function, prioritize environmental protection and nuisance avoidance. For a port marine terminal lighting installation to be DarkSky Approved, it must demonstrate that it meets the criteria in this document, which are based on the objectives of the DarkSky/Illuminating Engineering Society (IES) Five Principles for Responsible Outdoor Lighting. Those Principles are:

1. All light should have a clear purpose.
2. Light should be directed only to where it is needed.
3. Light levels should be no higher than necessary.
4. Light should be used only when it is useful.
5. Warmer color lights should be used where possible.

This document explains the requirements for a port marine terminal to become DarkSky Approved, including both technical performance specifications and administrative requirements.

For questions on the program, contact the Lighting Program Manager

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1.0 GENERAL

2.0 LIGHTING CRITERIA

3.0 PHASE 1 – DARKSKY DESIGN COMPLIANCE

4.0 PHASE 2 – DARKSKY INSTALLATION COMPLIANCE

APPENDIX A – BACKGROUND

1.0 General

1.1 Overview

A. Scope
This document provides the criteria for meeting the DarkSky Approved Port Marine Terminal Lighting (PMTL) Program. This program provides DarkSky International (DarkSky) recognition for port marine terminal Work Zones where marine vessels load and discharge cargo and passengers, and include related work areas such as upland storage and/or transportation areas. Program compliance is evaluated on the basis of lighting calculations and controls within individual Work Zones and offsite impacts are based on the outer perimeter of multiple contiguous Work Zones that share lighting equipment within the same project. DarkSky Approved recognition is reserved for outdoor lighting that has been proven to significantly reduce light pollution relative to other facilities of similar functionality.

B. Mandatory and preferred certifications
All requirements listed in these criteria are mandatory to achieve DarkSky Approved recognition. A Preferred status is given for facilities that meet the Preferred requirements listed in Section 2.5, Spectrum. Recognition is given in the form of a letter for Phase 1 and a full certificate for Phase 2 as outlined below.

C. Design and installation recognitions
The recognition offered in this program is for lighting installations for the port Marine Terminal Work Zones only. Submittals for DarkSky Approved recognition must demonstrate conformance with the DarkSky Lighting Criteria in Section 2. There are two phases of approval:

1. Phase 1, DarkSky design compliance
   An online project application must be submitted prior to construction (requires application fee, design documentation, and review by DarkSky International for conformance). Upon demonstrated compliance, DarkSky International issues a letter of congratulations stating that the design has been reviewed by DarkSky and that it meets these criteria, and makes it eligible for Phase 2 DarkSky Approved consideration. This letter benefits the site owner or municipality to validate to the community or other stakeholders that the design meets DarkSky PMTL Criteria. (See Section 3.)
2. Phase 2, DarkSky installation compliance
   This is a field inspection performed by a representative of DarkSky International to verify that the installation meets the DarkSky PMTL criteria. Upon successful field verification, DarkSky International issues a DarkSky Approved installation certificate.

1.2 References and standards

A. Local codes
The project must be in compliance with all applicable local codes and standards (e.g., federal, state, province, commonwealth, county, or municipal lighting ordinances, building, safety and electrical codes, energy codes, and product labeling such as by Underwriters Laboratories or equivalent).

B. Lighting standards
The basis for on-site illuminance values shall be the latest version of ANSI/IES RP-40, Recommended Practice: Lighting Port Terminals, unless the owner, location and/or authority having jurisdiction mandates compliance with a different lighting standard. If a different standard is required, the applicant shall submit the name of the standard and the design criteria of the standard in the application.

1.3 Definitions

A. Lighting trespass
The vertical illuminance calculated or measured 1.5 m above finish grade at the specified boundary lines, aimed perpendicular to the boundary line and directed into the port marine terminal property.   

B. Marine terminal
Collection of berthing locations and adjacent upland areas and/or waterfront Work Zones associated with the movement and/or storage of cargo, materials or passengers from vessel to shore or shore to vessel.  Each Wharf Area constitutes a separate area for lighting purposes, and must have its own separate controls for tuning the lighting to meet the operational setting/non-operational settings for both the Wharf Area and the Upland Area.

C. Operational setting/non-operational hours/setting
The Operational Setting is the light level/CCT combination allowed during operational working hours, i.e. when the vessel is being unloaded or loaded, or when other operational work is being performed in the Upland Area.  The Non-Operational Setting is the light level/CCT combination allowed at all other times, including when the vessel is moored, but no work is being performed in the Work Zone.  

D. Tuning
Dimming and color changing capability of a luminaire to achieve the light settings required.

E. Upland area
Land area on the upland side of the Marine Terminal not associated with the act of loading or unloading of waterborne shipments or passengers and where supplemental work is performed, including but not limited to container storage, bulk storage or other work that is otherwise connected to the operation of the marine terminal. Upland areas are not necessarily aligned with Wharf Areas and may serve multiple Wharf Areas.

F. Wharf area
The area between the limits of the upland area(s) and waterside operations. The extent of the waterfront dimension must be defined for each Wharf Area.

G. Work zone
Area of the marine terminal where work is performed.  For the purpose of this program, Wharf Areas and the Upland Areas shall be different Work Zones, and Work Zones may have different boundaries for the Operational Settings and Non-Operational Settings, i.e. when the boundary of the Work Zone for the Wharf Area extend to the fender edge during Operational Hours, but end at the berth edge during Non-Operational Hours.  Waterfront Work Zones that are not berthing locations, but contiguous with Wharf Areas are considered separate Works Zones. 

2.0 Lighting criteria

2.1 Uplight and high-angle lighting

A. Criterion
No luminaire, as positioned and aimed in its final installed position, is allowed to emit light above 80° from nadir. Note: Having a luminous intensity of zero candelas emitted at or above 80° from nadir when a luminaire is aimed directly downward, as shown in a photometric report, is not sufficient for compliance if the luminaire is tilted (i.e., aimed above nadir) in its installed position.

B. Calculation
Calculations shall include the sum of the total lumens generated by all of the luminaires aimed at the Work Zone, as emitted in their final aimed position, for 1) lumens emitted above 80° from nadir, and 2) lumens emitted below 80° from nadir. Note: The total lumens emitted above 80° from nadir in this calculation must be zero to comply with the criteria.

2.2 Targeted lighting

A. Work zone targeting

1. Criterion
   At least 90% of the total lumens generated by the luminaires illuminating must fall inside the Work Zones.
2. Calculations
   The calculation shall include the total number of lumens falling within the Work Zone (x), the total lumens generated by the luminaires (y), and the percentage (x/y) x 100. 

B. Light trespass

1. Criteria
   • Water edge of marine terminal 
     Light Trespass measured at the water’s edge of the berth shall be no greater than 20 lux in the Non-Operational Setting.
   • Light intrusion into the water
     Lighting calculations shall demonstrate that Light Trespass at 46m (150 ft) measured perpendicularly from the water’s edge of the berth into the water shall be no greater than (0.1) lux in the Non-Operational Setting.
   • Designated environmentally sensitive areas
     Light Trespass into federal or state designated wilderness, natural area, habitat, or reserves shall measure no greater than (0.1) Lux and port terminal luminaire lamp sources shall not be visible from the property line of the sensitive areas.
   • Non-port authority owned property
     Light Trespass measured at the non-water property edge adjacent to property not owned by the port authority shall be no greater than 3 lux.
2. Calculations
   Refer to Light Trespass definition. The calculation shall be made at 3m (10 ft) intervals along the edge(s) of the property line, the water edge of the berth, and 46m (150 ft) from the berth edge.

2.3 Illuminance Values

A. Criterion
If the basis of design criteria is average illuminance over the area of the port terminal Work Zones, then the average illuminance on port terminal Work Zones shall be no more than 25% above the average target illuminance levels defined by the relevant standard (see Section 1.2.B).  If the basis of design criteria is a minimum value at the berth edge, then the average to minimum ratio over the area of the port terminal Work Zone shall be no greater than 5:1.

B. Illuminance Calculations
The design documents must specify the boundaries of the Work Zones for each Marine Terminal for both the Operational and Non-Operational Settings. For instance, if the Marine Terminal application includes both an Upland Area and a Wharf Area, then the Work Zone for each of these areas needs to be defined for the Operational Setting and the Non-operational Setting (if different).  The illuminance calculations shall be performed on DarkSky International-approved software and show compliance via a plan view and illuminance grid, with the calculated average, minimum, and maximum illuminances at ground level for each Work Zone under each of the settings. The point spacing in the illuminance grid shall be as specified in the standard, or no more than 3 m (10 ft) apart if the spacing is not specified in the standard. In addition to the illumination grid, the documentation must include the illuminance along the berth edge at the same grid spacing.  The total light loss factor (LLF) shall be no lower than 0.8.

1. Operational setting
   The lighting calculations shall be performed with all luminaires emitting 100% of their light output, except for applied light loss factors.
2. Non-operational setting
   Calculations shall be provided for the non-operational settings to show average Work Zone illumination levels and berth edge illumination levels.

2.4 Controls

A. Automatic controls
Automatic control systems shall provide astronomical on/sunrise off operation with the ‘on’ setting programmed for the Non-Operational Setting. Manual override controls to increase the lighting to the operational setting are allowed.

B. Tuning controls
The control system shall include tuning capability to implement uniform illumination levels for the Operational and Non-Operational Settings.

1. Dimming controls are required for any Port Marine Terminal.  
2. Spectral Tuning controls are optional. See Section 2.5.

C. Separate control zones
Each Work Zone shall be a separate lighting control zone.  Upland Areas that are contiguous and operate together may be controlled together if they are included as part of the same DarkSky application and documentation is provided from the Owner that describes why they must be controlled together.

D. Control policy documentation
A control schedule tied to a lighting zone plan must be included in the Phase 1 application that shows the control zones and lists the controls method and the Operating and Non-Operating Settings for each control zone. All listed conditions in the schedule must be demonstrated during the Phase 2 inspection.

2.5 Spectrum

A. Mandatory maximum CCT
The maximum allowable correlated color temperature (CCT) of light sources is 4000 K. 

B. Preferred maximum CCT
DarkSky Preferred status for Port Marine Terminal projects can be achieved by reducing the CCT to 3000K or lower for the Operating Setting and/or Non-Operational Settings.  For instance, if a Port Marine Terminal has 3000K throughout the project in both Operational and Non-Operational Settings, it would achieve a Preferred status; or if the project uses spectral tuning to reduce the CCT to 3000K or below during Non-Operational Hours, it would receive Preferred status.  DarkSky advocates for an even lower CCT for the Non-Operational Setting.

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3.0 Phase 1 – DarkSky design compliance

3.1 Application, submission, and fees

A. Applicants must apply for the program and upload lighting calculations and supplemental information through the online submittal form here.

B. Submissions must include the following:

1. Applicant Form: Applicants must provide general information about the project as well as contact information for the lighting designer or engineer and the owner or operator of the project. For each project, the following must be listed:
   • Type of marine terminal and operations being performed, including illumination requirements and the standard/criteria being used for defining those illumination requirements. The illumination requirements must be listed for each Work Zone.
   • Plans showing the limits of the Work Zone(s), boundary lines, and water edge boundaries for both the Operational Setting and Non-Operational Setting.
   • Control schedule.  
2. Submission Fees: Fees cover the initial application and two resubmissions. If more than two resubmissions are required, the applicable fees will be required for each subsequent resubmission.  Fees are found here. 
3. Terms: Fees are non-refundable and must be received by DarkSky International before DarkSky performs the review.

3.2 Project review for compliance

A. Design evaluation
DarkSky International will evaluate materials sent by applicants for conformance with the DarkSky Lighting Criteria (see Section 2) and provide applicants with feedback. 

B. Conformance
If the project design conforms with the DarkSky Lighting Criteria, DarkSky International will inform the submitter and provide a letter of congratulations to the applicant. The project will also then be filed at DarkSky International as a PMTL-Compliant Design and be put in the queue for the Phase 2 Installation Certification process. 

C. Nonconformance
If the project does not conform with the DarkSky PMTL Criteria, DarkSky International will inform the applicant. Applicants will have the opportunity to change the design to meet the lighting criteria and resubmit their design. (See paragraph 3.1.B.2 Submission Fees.)

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4.0 Phase 2 – DarkSky installation compliance

4.1 Inspection coordination and fees

A. Scheduling the inspection
Upon completion of the project, DarkSky International must be contacted to coordinate a date and time for site evaluation. The Owner’s representative must be present for the inspection to provide full access to the site, and time must be allowed for all measurements required to demonstrate conformance with the DarkSky PMTL Criteria. The system must be fully operational, with all controls fully working, to test each control zone and light level at night for conformance with the control schedule approved in Phase 1. 

B. Inspection fees

1. DarkSky ports program installation:
   • Fees are found here. 
2. Terms:
   • Fees are due upon agreement of a meeting date and time, to confirm the marine terminal inspection booking date. This fee is non-refundable.  
   • Remaining fees for flight, hotel, and per diem meal rates are due prior to the appointment date; receipts will be provided for all expenses along with an invoice.  
   • Applicants are responsible for informing DarkSky International of the potential for inclement weather that may hamper the ability to take the lighting measurements required. In such cases, rescheduling may be required.  Additional costs due to scheduling are the responsibility of the applicant. 

C. DarkSky International will provide the following deliverables:

1. Field measurements at the project site
2. A written report of findings, including points of failure if the facility is nonconforming
3. An estimate of costs for re-evaluation by DarkSky International if initial site visit measurements do not pass certification requirements

4.2 DarkSky Approved

A. DarkSky Approved installation certificates are given only after the field inspection has demonstrated full compliance with the lighting criteria described in this document (see Section 2).  

B. The DarkSky Approved designation allows the owner of the facility to place a DarkSky International placard on their facility, subject to review and approval by DarkSky.

C. The DarkSky Approved designation allows the owner of the facility to use the DarkSky Approved logo on their web page or marketing material in accordance with DarkSky criteria for logo use.  

D. DarkSky International promotes all DarkSky Approved facilities on the DarkSky.org website, recognizing the name of the facility and the owner or municipality that operates the facility.

E. Press releases or other marketing material pertaining to the DarkSky Approved facility must be mutually reviewed and approved by DarkSky and the site representative.