The Montreal Port Authority (MPA) is well aware of the global environmental challenge and has a long history of incorporating environmental initiatives into its activities.
“The reduction of the Port’s environmental footprint is one of the guiding principles of our Sustainable Development Policy,” said Sylvie Vachon, the MPA’s President and CEO.
The MPA integrated environmental clauses into its leases with tenants as far back as 1993. Since 2001, its Environmental Policy has set out the MPA’s principles and values with regard to the environment. In 2005, the MPA established an Environmental Management System (EMS) based on the ISO 14001 model.
The Port of Montreal was a founding member of Green Marine, the North American marine industry’s voluntary environmental certification program. In 2014, the Port integrated Green Marine’s environmental requirements directly into its own EMS, a first among Green Marine members. That same year it had the second-highest ranking among member ports throughout North America.
Several projects are currently underway at the port to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and improve environmental performance related to port operations.
Shore Power
The Port is installing shore power at its cruise ship terminal and for ships that spend the winter in the port.
This technology provides power to ship equipment such as electric pumps, lighting and water heating, avoiding the use of auxiliary diesel engines which consume fuel and produce GHG and air pollutant emissions.
Total GHG emission reductions resulting from this project are expected to reach 2,800 tonnes annually – 1,300 tonnes from cruise ship connections and 1,500 tonnes from wintering ships.
The total cost of the project is $11 million. The Government of Canada is providing up to $5 million under its Shore Power Technology for Ports Program. The Government of Quebec and the MPA are each providing $3 million.
“We are committed to always evaluate options that will improve our environmental footprint, and this project is a concrete and significant example of this approach,” Ms. Vachon said.
GHG Project
The Port of Montreal has implemented an innovative Greenhouse Gas Emissions Management project to reduce GHG emissions from trucks on port territory and improve truck fluidity. Montreal is the first port in Canada, and the second in the world after the Port of Hamburg, to provide truckers with this type of advanced road information service. The Port is working with the City of Montreal and Transport Quebec on the project.
Phase 1 of the project has seen updates to access control systems and the installation of licence plate readers at a number of strategic locations on port territory to record passing trucks. In Phase 2, this data will be processed to provide a snapshot in real time of traffic flows and congestion points.
In Phase 3, this information will be sent to truck drivers via electronic communications. They will then be able to choose the easiest and fastest route to take and avoid traffic jams.
The project is benefiting from a subsidy of up to $1.375 million through the Government of Canada’s program of initiatives to reduce GHG and air pollutant emissions.