Green Marine welcomes first East Coast Port as a new member

Quebec City, June 13, 2011 – The Port of Saint John, the largest and most diverse seaport in the Province of New Brunswick, today joined as a member of Green Marine’s environmental program.

In doing so the Port of Saint John joins the ranks of two other Atlantic participants, Oceanex and Atlantic Towing Ltd., marking a major breakthrough on the east coast according to Green Marine executive director David Bolduc: “As the first port to become a member in Atlantic Canada, the Port of Saint John will play a leading role in the region.”

Green Marine, a voluntary North American environmental initiative, enjoys an expanded mandate with members on the east and west coasts, both in Canada and the United States. The arrival of the Saint John Port Authority paves the way for increased membership in the Atlantic region.

The Port of Saint John serves as a marine gateway to global markets and is among Canada’s leading ports, known for its strategic importance to the country’s trade and economy.  Last year the Port broke all previous tonnages records with more than 30.4 million metric tonnes of cargo in a single year. The Port primarily handles bulk and break bulk cargo, and is well-suited for niche container markets.   This international seaport is also part of the region’s core infrastructure, generating nearly 3,000 direct and indirect jobs. As a leading cruise port of call on the Canada-New England itinerary, in 2010, the Port also broke all previous cruise records and welcomed 76 cruise ships with over 200,000 cruise passengers and 70,000 crew members in a single year.

Saint John Port Authority President & CEO Jim Quinn views Green Marine membership as another step toward supporting the community through sustainable marine operations. “The Port of Saint John is committed to its community and respects the value of an inclusive, sustainable approach to operating,” he says. “We are taking this same leadership role when it comes to the environment.”