There’s a new push to make shipping routes between Canada’s West Coast, Asia and the Middle East more sustainable.
The Prince Rupert Port Authority on Dec. 6 inked a global Memorandum of Understanding regarding multi-port, multi-jurisdiction green shipping corridors, a move to formally create green pathways from Edmonton and Prince Rupert to Asia and Middle East seaports.
“Together with our port industry, Indigenous, and local community partners, we are committed to realizing a shared vision of a thriving and sustainable trade gateway that ensures a vibrant future for western Canada and we are taking concrete action to address climate change and reduce the impacts of port activity,” Port Authority President and CEO Shaun Stevenson said. The agreement was signed during the 28th Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change in Dubai.
The port said that it plans to partner with industry and government entities to advance the development of zero-emission solutions, including electrification of port operations, fuel alternatives, waste management and other initiatives.
“Electrification initiatives like expansion of shore power capabilities are critical components to reaching net-zero by 2050,” Stevenson said. “We are one of only two ports in Canada currently providing shore power to container vessels at berth and will continue to expand our capacity to meet our customers’ efforts to reduce their overall carbon footprint.”
