The Vancouver Fraser Port Authority has expanded its industry-leading EcoAction Program, encouraging vessels that call on the Port of Vancouver to quiet the waters for the endangered whale population along the southern coast of British Columbia. Specifically, the program got into force on January 1, 2019.
The Port Authority moved forward and found options to decrease underwater noise and also updated the air emissions reduction options eligible for discounted harbour dues through its EcoAction Program.
The port’s incentive in favour of quieter vessels was firstly launched in 2017 ans was focusing on whales and marine mammals that are being negatively affected by underwater noise.
Specifically, the Port Authority suggests that vessel calling in the port, that have technologies to decrease emissions, underwater noise and other environmental effects will have reduced harbour dues up to 47%.
The program supports the efforts of the port authority-led Enhancing Cetacean Habitat and Observation (ECHO) Program, which is a collaborative research initiative that aims to reduce the effects of shipping on at-risk whales in the region.
Moreover, the EcoAction program now accepts quite vessel notations from five different classification societies, and five propeller technologies, all of which can help reduce underwater noise emissions.
Ships that have one or more of these quiet ship notations or technologies are eligible to apply for the reduced fees.
The expanded incentive program also supports the federal government’s commitment under its Oceans Protection Plan to protect Canada’s at-risk whales, including the endangered southern resident killer whale population.
Duncan Wilson, vice president of environment, community and government affairs at the Vancouver Fraser Port Authority commented
Providing ship owners with a range of incentives and options to encourage quieter ships is one more way we are working with the port community to balance protection of our environment and facilitate increased trade.
Concluding, the Vice President reported that offering incentives to shipping lines to decrease underwater noise via improved ship technology, boosts regional effort to reduce threats against whales.
