Cruise ships frequent Halifax on a daily basis for most of the year, releasing a significant amount of people and pollution into the city while stationed at the port. Brent Dancey, the director of marine climate action at Oceans North, mentioned the visible emissions around the port area caused by the ships. Residents in Halifax and other Canadian cities like St. John’s have raised concerns about this issue.
The solution to this pollution problem lies in utilizing shore power technology. By connecting the ships to the local power grid while docked, they can avoid burning fuel for power, thereby reducing emissions. This technology has been implemented in some ports like Vancouver, Prince Rupert, Montreal, and Halifax in Canada.
Ships typically burn heavy fuel oil and marine diesel oil to generate electricity for various onboard functions. Shore power allows them to plug into onshore power sources instead, minimizing harmful emissions such as fine particulate matter and greenhouse gases. Encouraging ships to use shore power can significantly reduce the environmental impact of the shipping industry, which contributes to global greenhouse gas emissions.
Despite the availability of shore power in some Canadian ports, not all ships take advantage of this option due to various reasons, including alignment issues with docks, cost considerations, and lack of incentives. International regulations in regions like Europe and California mandate ships to plug into shore power when possible, aiming to reduce emissions and promote sustainability in the maritime sector.
As the world moves towards decarbonizing the shipping industry, shore power is becoming a key component of future ports. The EU plans to enforce shore power requirements at major ports by 2030, with full implementation by 2035. In Canada, efforts to expand shore power infrastructure are vital to attract environmentally conscious ships and ensure competitiveness in the global maritime market.
Investing in renewable electricity infrastructure at ports is crucial for building a sustainable future and meeting emission reduction targets set by international bodies like the International Maritime Organization. Canadian ports, including the Port of Montreal and the potential Port of Churchill expansion, need to prioritize shore power installations to align with global sustainability goals and enhance their environmental credentials.
