The Vancouver Fraser Port Authority on Tuesday (6 December) said together with partners from across the port community, they are testing various low- and zero-emission fuels including alternative bunker fuels at the Port of Vancouver. 

This is part of the port authority’s efforts to phase out all port-related emissions by 2050 in support of the Government of Canada’s goal to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050. 

Through the Low-Emission Technology Initiative, a joint initiative between the port authority and the Province of British Columbia, the port authority and the province have each committed USD 1.5 million in funding to support the port community’s transition to low-emission energy, including the testing of battery-electric-powered terminal tractors; 100% biodiesel bunkers on commercial ferries; a hydrogen-powered crane; and 100% renewable diesel on a terminal locomotive and one of the port authority’s patrol boats.  

“Charting our course towards a zero-emission port starts with collaborative efforts like these—between the port authority, the port community, and government—to test innovative new low-emission fuels and technologies that reduce emissions while keeping trade moving through the Port of Vancouver,” said Robin Silvester, president and chief executive officer of the Vancouver Fraser Port Authority. 

“We plan to continue taking tangible steps, in close collaboration with our partners across the port, towards our goal of phasing out all port-related emissions by 2050.” 

Efforts to test low-emission fuels include a six-month trial of 100% renewable marine diesel on one of the port authority’s patrol boats, the Takaya, making the port authority the first federal agency in Canada to run a vessel on 100% renewable diesel. 

Renewable diesel is a non-fossil fuel energy source derived from a range of organic sources such as vegetable oils, animal fats and food waste. Using renewable diesel can result in up to 80% less net greenhouse gas emissions than regular diesel on a life-cycle basis. Shell Canada, a partner on this project, supplied the renewable diesel and provided significant technical expertise.

Across the Port of Vancouver, many other low-emission fuels and technologies are being tested by members of the port community, such as: 

• Seaspan Ferries, which operates a commercial ferry service between its terminals on Vancouver Island and the Lower Mainland, recently began running all six of its commercial ferries on 100% biodiesel, following the success of a pilot project launched last year with the support of the port authority and the province. On Seaspan’s tugboat fleet, the company also recently began using 100% soy-based biofuel and expects to transition to using biofuel bunkers on all its harbour ship-docking tugs before the end of 2022. At Seaspan Ferries’ Tilbury Marine Terminal on the Fraser River, the company has also introduced two battery-electric powered terminal tractors, which were procured with funding support from the port authority and the province. All three of Seaspan’s shipyards have established a GHG baseline for emissions.  

“We applaud our partners across the port community for their leadership in creating a more sustainable future at the Port of Vancouver. It’s fantastic to see so many efforts underway by industry to test and adopt new fuels and technologies that, together, will help pave the way towards creating a zero-emission port by 2050 while supporting our vision for the Port of Vancouver to be the world’s most sustainable port,” said Silvester. 

 

Photo credit: Vancouver Fraser Port Authority
Published: 9 December, 2022