Major biofuel projects will advance greener shipping on the Great Lakes

Two new initiatives supported by Transport Canada’s Green Shipping Corridors Fund in partnership with Green Marine participants and others will significantly reduce maritime transportation’s emissions on the Great Lakes.

The Port Colborne Marine Biofuel Terminal is a $33-million collaboration by the Hamilton-Oshawa Ports Authority (HOPA Ports) and Canada Steamship Lines – both Green Marine participants – and Canada Clean Fuels. Situated on Lake Erie in Ontario’s Niagara Region, the 4.8-hectare (12-acre) facility will distribute up to 70 million litres (almost 185 million gallons) of biodiesel annually – enough to fuel more than 100 vessels a year.

“Port Colborne’s strategic position allows for near year-round service, making it uniquely advantageous on the Great Lakes,” says Ian Hamilton, HOPA Ports’ president and CEO, of the location at the southern end of the Welland Canal.

Supported by $13.8 million in federal corridors funding, the terminal is expected to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 144,000 metric tons by 2030 – the equivalent of taking 33,589 vehicles off the road for a year. The GHG reduction is expected to be 2.8 million mt over the terminal’s lifespan.

The Port of Hamilton is the site of the second project that involves Sterling Fuels – another Green Marine participant - modifying and supplementing its existing biofuel infrastructure at the port. The $4-million initiative – half-funded by the federal corridors program will add new tanks, pumps, and piping to meet rising biofuel demand.

“With these new biofuel facilities, we’re making marine transportation even cleaner and setting new standards for sustainable shipping on the Great Lakes, » Hamilton says.