Port of Prince Rupert activates shore power to reduce ship emissions

By expanding shore power capacity at DP World Prince Rupert’s Fairview Container Terminal, the Prince Rupert Port Authority (PRPA) has achieved a significant milestone in reducing port-related emissions.

“Offering this infrastructure enables our customers to make more sustainable choices about how they transport their cargo and the benefits this will have in reducing their overall carbon footprint,” said PRPA’s President and CEO Shaun Stevenson.

As a key part of PRPA’s Carbon Reduction Plan, the shore power project included the installation of new electrical infrastructure at the terminal’s north berth, along with upgrades to the south berth. The north berth’s shore power system was inaugurated on December 12, 2022, with the visit of COSCO’s CSCL Summer container ship.

Connecting large container ships to shore power at either of the terminal's berths is expected to eliminate nearly 30,000 tonnes of carbon emissions annually, in addition to preventing other ship exhaust emissions locally or at the port, such as nitrogen oxides and particulate matter. This significant reduction will help the port achieve its goals to reduce the intensity of greenhouse gas emissions by 30% by 2030 (compared with its 2018 level) and, eventually, to achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2050. 

This $7.6-million project was made possible through a partnership between the port, DP World, and BC Hydro, as well as $2.2 million in funding provided through Environment and Climate Change Canada’s Low Carbon Economy Challenge Fund.