Port Metro Vancouver (PMV) is committed to long-term sustainability and has implemented several initiatives designed to integrate environmental, social and economic sustainability into all operations. Shore power is one of many emission reduction measures already implemented at Port Metro Vancouver.

The cruise industry is leading the shipping industry in addressing air emissions by developing a number of environmental initiatives: low-sulphur fuel, bio-diesel, seawater scrubbers and shore power. Shore power is unique in that it virtually eliminates all vessel emissions while docked. Implementing cruise ship shore power at Canada Place will allow Port Metro Vancouver to be on the leading edge of environmental protection and will also help the port remain competitive with other West Coast ports.

The new shore power installation is the first of its kind in Canada and only third in the world. It is the result of a $9-million cooperative investment by Port Metro Vancouver, Transport Canada, Western Economic Diversification Canada, the British Columbia Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure, Princess Cruises, Holland America Line and BC Hydro.

The main objective of this project is to reduce air emissions of cruise ships while at dock. Reducing emissions of greenhouse gases (GHGs) and criteria air contaminants (CACs) will reduce contributions to climate change, and help maintain and improve air quality. As a result, shore power contributes to improving public health, the environment and the economy. In addition, investment costs may potentially be recovered over time through operational and fuel cost savings.

It is estimated that the Canada Place shore power project will reduce GHG carbon dioxide by 3,200 to 3,700 tonnes in the first full year of operation alone. There will also be additional reductions of CACs by 110 to 130 tonnes, including particulate matter, hydrocarbons, nitrogen oxides, sulphur oxides and ammonia emissions. These reductions could make a significant contribution to meeting British Columbia's recent targets of reducing GHG emissions by 33 per cent below current levels by 2020.

TTo create the shore power system, also known as "cold ironing," Princess and Holland America Line have made significant investments in outfitting their ships with custom-built electrical equipment that connects the ships' electrical network to BC Hydro's power grid. The electrical power is transmitted from the landside transformer to the vessel through four 3 ½-inch diameter flexible electrical cables. The actual cable connection on the vessel resembles a traditional, though quite large, plug and socket. The length of time needed to connect a ship to shore power and shut down the vessel's diesel generator is approximately 40 minutes. Once connected, the ship's engines are powered down and, simultaneously, the necessary amount of power, provided by BC Hydro, will be used to run the ship's services while in port.

Since 2001, Princess has invested nearly $7 million in outfitting nine of its ships with custom-built equipment to enable its vessels to connect to shore power. Four Princess ships will use shore power in Vancouver during the 2009 Alaska season: Coral Princess, Diamond Princess, Island Princess and Sapphire Princess.

Project Partners and Roles

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