Silvester said that the estimated costs of the project, estimated at more than USD11 million, will be split between the port and the Canadian government. The two shore power systems are expected to be operational by March 31, 2017.
This announcement “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 Silvester.
BC Hydro, of British Columbia, DP World, which operates Centerm, and Global Container Terminals, which manages Deltaport, collaborated in the project.
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. Shore power reduces emissions by allowing vessels to turn off their diesel engines and draw power from the provincial electrical grid while in port.
“Bringing it to the container terminals will help the port reach targets under the Northwest Ports Clean Air Strategy, a collaboration with Tacoma and Seattle to reduce emissions in the shared Puget Sound-Georgia Basin airshed,” he added. “It will also reduce the noise levels for nearby residents.”