VANCOUVER, Nov. 30, 2018 – The Government of Canada is developing an environmentally responsible transportation system to protect the environment and health of Canadians. By supporting the development of green transportation solutions, we promote environmental sustainability and foster our country’s economic prosperity.
The Minister of Transport, the Honourable Marc Garneau, joined Mr. Robin Silvester, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Vancouver Fraser Port Authority, at the Port of Vancouver to highlight the completion of a project supporting the Government of Canada’s commitment to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, air pollution, and to embrace new technologies to improve Canadians’ lives.
Through the Shore Power Technology for Ports program, the Government of Canada and the Vancouver Fraser Port Authority have each contributed $3.5 million to the Centerm project, for a total investment of $7 million. The completed project reduces greenhouse gas emissions by enabling ships to shut down their diesel engines and connect to an electrical grid supplied by renewable energy sources.
For each large ship at berth for 60 hours, over 95 tonnes of air pollutants and greenhouse emissions will be eliminated from the port through the shore power facility. This amounts to taking 20 cars off the road for one year.
By providing ship operators with an alternative to running diesel auxiliary engines while docked, shore power technology also reduces noise associated with running engines, decreases ship owners’ fuel costs, and increases the competitiveness of Canadian ports.
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“Our Government is committed to maintaining a safe, efficient and green transportation system. By taking action to reduce greenhouse gases and air pollution, we are improving the lives of Canadians while investing in the future of clean transportation. New and emerging technologies are laying the groundwork for Canada’s present and future economic growth. ”
The Honourable Marc Garneau
Minister of Transport
“The Vancouver Fraser Port Authority is mandated to enable Canada’s trade while protecting the environment and considering local communities. Installing shore power at DP World’s Centerm container terminal represents another positive step towards improving air quality by reducing marine shipping emissions. We are very proud of the collaboration with the Government of Canada and our terminal operations partner DP World to bring shore power to this facility, and are working to expand the program to other terminals in the Port of Vancouver.”
Robin Silvester, President and Chief Executive Officer
Vancouver Fraser Port Authority
Quick Facts
- Since 2009, shore power installations at the Port of Vancouver cruise ship terminal have eliminated 524 tonnes of air pollutants and 18,264 tonnes of greenhouse gases.
- Canada’s Shore Power Technology for Ports program has invested over $19.5 million in Canadian port authorities, terminal operators and ferry operators to support the deployment of marine shore power technology.
- This initiative also supports the implementation of North American Emission Control Area requirements for marine vessels to use cleaner fuels.
- Five additional Shore Power projects have been completed across Canada since the program was launched in 2012. They are:
- Vancouver Fraser Port Authority’s cruise shore power upgrade and expansion at Canada Place;
- Seaspan Ferry’s Swartz Bay Terminal improvements in British Columbia;
- Port of Halifax’s shore power system implementation for cruise ships;
- BC Ferry Services Inc.’s upgrades of 10 shore power installations, including the addition of two new connections;
- Port of Montréal’s shore power project.