B.C. participants launch innovative projects to reduce emissions and energy use

Two Green Marine participants based in British Columbia – the Port of Prince Rupert and SAAM SMIT Canada – have invested in major projects to significantly decrease emissions and energy use. They were among five initiatives announced September 12 in partnership with Climate Smart (a Green Marine partner) and the Canadian government’s Low Carbon Economy Fund. The fund is designed to unleash the latent potential of small to medium-sized enterprises to accelerate Canada’s transition to a low carbon future. A total of $6.8 million is being spent on the five initiatives with 50% to 75% of the investments made by the businesses.

The Prince Rupert Port Authority will undertake two projects to provide electric power to ships at dock, reducing fuel use by at least 60%. In addition to reductions upwards of 1.2 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalent over the project’s lifetime, air quality will be enhanced by vessels burning less marine fuel while at port.

SAAM SMIT Towage will install power inverters on the three remaining tugboats not yet equipped for shore power, thereby facilitating their use of electric power while at dock instead of diesel engines and generators. In addition to the reduction of more than 10,000 tonnes of CO₂ equivalent emissions, the project will improve air quality from the reduction in particulate matter and nitrogen oxides.