Cargo ships loading and unloading at the DP World Prince Rupert’s Fairview Container Terminal will now be able to go electric.
The Prince Rupert Port Authority, DP World and BC Hydro installed new electrical infrastructure at the terminal’s north and south berths this month. The COSCO CSCL Summer was the first ship to use the new system on Dec. 12.
“The full commissioning of the shore power system now allows ships at both berths to shut down their main generators and rely on specially equipped dockside power connections while their cargo is being loaded and unloaded,” a statement release by the Prince Rupert Port Authority said. “The ability to plug in large container vessels to shore power while at either terminal berth is forecast to reduce carbon emissions by almost 30,000 tonnes annually, as well as other air emissions related to vessel exhaust such as nitrogen oxides and particulates, from the local airshed. That is the equivalent of removing over 6,500 typical passenger vehicles from the road.”
The $7.6 million project received a $2.2 million grant from Environment and Climate Change Canada’s Lowe Carbon Economy Challenge Fund.
“Shore power capacity is a critical component of the Port of Prince Rupert’s carbon reduction strategy and aligns with global efforts to transition the shipping and marine industries to renewable, clean energy sources,” port president and CEO Shaun Stevenson said. “Offering this infrastructure at our port enables customers to make more sustainable choices about how they transport their cargo and the benefits it will have in reducing their overall carbon footprint.”
The Port of Prince Rupert plans to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions by 30 per cent below 2018 levels by 2030, and reach net-zero by 2050.
DP World (Canada) Inc. CEO Maksim Mihic said the project is part of the company’s plan to reduce carbon dioxide emissions from its operations by 700,000 tonnes over five years.“In addition, to the shortest ship crossing from Asia to North America, and the greenest rail connection, this will position Prince Rupert as a leader in eco-friendly port operations,” Mihic said. “We want to thank our partners as we work together to reduce our impact on the environment.”
CN RAIL RECOGNIZES PORT
The Prince Rupert Port Authority was one of 58 companies recognized by CN Rail under its EcoConnexions Partnership Program. Evaluations to select customers and supply chain partners are completed by an independent third-party specialized in sustainability, based on each applicant’s policies, reporting, targets and environmental initiatives.
“CN is proud of our customers and supply chain partners who pledge to transition to a more sustainable world,” CN vice-president Doug McDonald said. “Since 2014, we aspire to support this ecosystem of collaboration to enable the achievement of ambitious sustainability goals through our EcoConnexions Partnership Program.”
CN Rail is planting 100,000 trees in Canada and the U.S., in collaboration with Tree Canada, in recognition of the EcoConnexions Partnership Program.
