Vancouver to Expand Shore Power Facilities to Include Container Vessels

by Ship & Bunker News Team
Thursday July 23, 2015

The Government of Canada and Port Metro Vancouver Wednesday announced funding for the installation of shore power facilities for container vessels at two Port Metro Vancouver container terminals.

"Shore power works in B.C. because of our clean hydroelectricity. More than 95 per cent of the electricity BC Hydro generates is clean and that gives industry and businesses in B.C. a huge advantage," said Keith Anderson, Vice-President, Customer Service, BC Hydro.

"By working with Port Metro Vancouver and other stakeholders we've developed a shore power electricity rate that will help promote the use of shore power beyond cruise ships at Canada Place to other ports like the container terminals in Delta and Vancouver."

The total project funding is $12 million, including $6 million from Transport Canada's Shore Power Technology for Ports Program and $6 million from Port Metro Vancouver.

The new facilities are expected to be operational by March 31, 2017 and save an estimated 75 tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions per ship connection to shore power.

"Port Metro Vancouver is mandated to facilitate Canada's trade while protecting the environment and supporting communities. The installation of shore power at container terminals in Vancouver and Delta represents another positive step in ongoing work to reduce marine shipping emissions, work that has resulted in significant improvements in Metro Vancouver air quality," said Robin Silvester, President and Chief Executive Officer, Port Metro Vancouver.

"We are very proud of the collaboration between the Government of Canada, Port Metro Vancouver, BC Hydro, DP World and Global Container Terminals to bring shore power facilities for container ships to our port".

Port Metro Vancouver was the first port in Canada to implement shore power, which has been operational for cruise ships since 2009.

Commenting on the new facilities, the Honourable Kerry-Lynne Findlay, P.C., Q.C., Minister of National Revenue and Member of Parliament for Delta-Richmond East said: "We are proud to be investing in shore power at Port Metro Vancouver's Centerm and Deltaport container terminals.

"Federal initiatives such as the Shore Power Technology for Ports Program will not only help the environment and improve our health, but will also position British Columbia's trade sectors to take advantage of growth opportunities, increase revenues and create jobs."

Polarized Opinion

The news comes at a time of polarized opinion on the future of shore power.

In May, James Newsome, president and CEO of the South Carolina Ports Authority said the technology "has really been rendered as a last-generation solution at most major ports."

In the same month, plans to provide shore power at Hong Kong's Kai Tak terminal were postponed on the grounds that few cruise liners could or would use the system.

In response, several industry players voiced their support for the technology saying it is "still a valid option" for reducing at-berth vessel emissions, and in June the Port of Oakland attributed much of its recent reduction in emissions to the use of shore power.