In Vancouver, Port Metro Vancouver President and Chief Executive Officer Robin Silvester announced the installation of shore power facilities for container vessels at two Port Metro Vancouver container terminals, Global Container Terminal Deltaport and Centerm Container Terminal.
Port Metro Vancouver was the first port in Canada to implement shore power for cruise ships, and since 2009, over 11,000 tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions have been avoided. The use of shore power at Port Metro Vancouver container terminals will further reduce greenhouse gas emissions and assist it in reaching targets under the Northwest Ports Clean Air Strategy, a collaboration between Port Metro Vancouver and the ports of Tacoma and Seattle, to reduce emissions in the shared Puget Sound – Georgia Basin airshed. Shore power will also ease the impacts of growing Canadian trade on communities by reducing generator noise associated with the auxiliary engines of container vessels while in port.
The total project cost of $12 million is to be shared between the government of Canada ($6 million), and Port Metro Vancouver ($6 million). Both shore power installations are expected to be operational by March of 2017.
In Montreal, Sylvie Vachon, President and CEO of Montreal Port Authority, announced that shore power will be installed at Port of Montreal, allowing ships to plug into the local electrical grid to power the vessel while at port. This provides power to equipment such as electric pumps, lighting, and water heating, avoiding the use of auxiliary diesel engines which consume fuel, produce GHG and air pollutant emission. Two types of systems will be installed, namely shore power for cruise ships at the Alexandra Pier, as well as a four connection shore power system for wintering ships.
Total greenhouse gas emission (GHG) reductions resulting from implementation of the project in Montreal 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 installation in Montreal is $11 million. The government of Canada is providing up to $5 million, while the government of Quebec will provide $3 million. The Port Authority is to provide the remaining $3 million.
In Québec, Mario Girard, President and CEO, Quebec Port Authority, announced the installation of shore power at Port of Quebec’s Pointe-à-Carcy cruise ship terminal. The total cost of the project ($13.5 million) is being shared among the government of Canada (up to $5 million), the government of Quebec ($5.1 million) and Quebec Port Authority ($3.4 million).