Tag: Port Metro Vancouver

 Port Metro Vancouver, with support from the University of Victoria’s Ocean Networks Canada and JASCO Applied Sciences, has deployed a hydrophone listening station that will monitor underwater vessel noise in the Strait of Georgia. Underwater noise has been identified as a key threat to at-risk whales.The hydrophone listening station deployment and monitoring activities are part of the Enhancing Cetacean Habitat and Observation (ECHO) Program. The program aims to better understand and manage the impact of shipping activities on at-risk whales throughout the southern coast of British Columbia.“Port Metro Vancouver is mandated by the Canada Marine Act to accommodate Canada’s growing trade demands in a way that is sustainable,” said Duncan Wilson, Vice President of Corporate Social Responsibility at Port Metro Vancouver.“We are working together with scientists, shipping industries, conservation and environmental groups, First Nations individuals and government agencies to take proactive action to improve conditions for whales.”The newly-deployed listening station is located under water in the inbound shipping lane of the Strait of Georgia, and will be monitoring and reporting on ambient noise levels, marine mammal detections, and passing vessel noise. Working in collaboration with the Pacific Pilotage Authority and the British Columbia Coast Pilots, the intention is to maneuver as ...

  Government of Canada has announced funding for the installation of shore power facilities for container vessels at two Port Metro Vancouver container terminals. Shore power reduces emissions by allowing vessels to draw power from the local electrical grid and thereby turn off their diesel engines while in port. Also present for the announcement were partners BC Hydro, Global Container Terminals – operators of Deltaport terminals – and DP World Vancouver, operators of Vancouver's Centerm. Port Metro Vancouver was the first port in Canada to implement shore power for cruise ships, and since 2009, over 11,000 tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions have been avoided. The use of shore power at Port Metro Vancouver container terminals will further reduce greenhouse gas emissions, contribute to Canada's emissions reduction targets, and assist Port Metro Vancouver in reaching targets under the Northwest Ports Clean Air Strategy, a collaboration between Port Metro Vancouver and the ports of Tacoma and Seattle, to reduce emissions in the shared Puget Sound – Georgia Basin airshed. Shore power will also ease the impacts of growing Canadian trade on communities by reducing generator noise associated with the auxiliary engines of container vessels while in port.  Quick Facts The total project funding is $12 million: $6 million from Transport Canada’s Shore Power ...

The Vancouver Fraser Port Authority, doing business as Port Metro Vancouver, is responsible for facilitating trade through Canada’s largest port. Port Metro Vancouver has recently issued Sustainability Report for 2014 providing an overview of the port authority’s environmental, social and economic performance over the year. The Sustainability Report explains how Port Authority will promote long-term sustainable development of the gateway up to 2050 where its target is to ''plan for the long term by tracking key drivers of change, using scenarios to challenge assumptions and identifying opportunities to integrate sustainability into busing planning process and strategic priorities. '' Learn more about Port 2050 at http://portmetrovancouver.com/port2050 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dmIBnwgELEs The report, which is intended to provide greater transparency and accountability in how Port Metro Vancouver  conducts business, focuses on material topics across three themes – economic prosperity through trade, a healthy environment and thriving communities.   Sustainability at a glance       A sustainable gateway maintains a healthy environment focusing on healthy ecosystems, climate action and Responsible Practices. It improves  air quality, advances alternative energy, and promotes energy conservation to minimize greenhouse gas emissions and protect human health Air Emissions Regional air quality is affected by criteria air contaminants and greenhouse gas emissions from port-related activities, many ...

  Port Metro Vancouver issued its "2014 Sustainability Report" which provides an overview of the port authority’s environmental, social and economic performance over the year. The report highlights the significant ongoing work and collaboration with government, terminals, tenants, customers, communities and other stakeholders towards the sustainable development of Canada’s largest port. Stakeholders were engaged to create a definition of sustainability for the port, the three themes of which – delivering economic prosperity through trade, maintaining a healthy environment, and enabling thriving communities – provide the structure of the report. Key accomplishments outlined in the 2014 Sustainability Report include: Completion of 265 environmental reviews in accordance with our environmental policy and the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act, 2012 Finalization of a new Land Use Plan, which defines how federal port lands will be managed over the next 15 to 20 years The launch of key environmental initiatives including an air quality monitoring program in partnership with Metro Vancouver, and the Enhancing Cetacean Habitat and Observation (ECHO) Program to better understand and ultimately minimize the impact of port-related activities on marine mammals along the southern coast of B.C. Completion of several significant infrastructure projects, increasing the ability of the gateway to handle growing ...

  Port Metro Vancouver is proud to honour 12 shipping and four cruise lines with a Blue Circle Award for 2014. The Blue Circle Awards recognize marine carriers with the highest rate of participation in Port Metro Vancouver’s EcoAction Program. EcoAction sets goals for air emissions reductions for ocean-going vessels that enter our port, and rewards those that excel in environmental stewardship. As part of the program, vessels are entitled to a discount of up to 47 per cent on harbour dues by choosing a variety of eligible fuels, technology options and environmental management practices. “Port Metro Vancouver is ensuring port operations are sustainably managed while at the same time responding to increasing demand for trade,” said Robin Silvester, President and Chief Executive Officer, Port Metro Vancouver. “The Blue Circle Awards allow us to recognize and honour marine carriers that are committed to reducing air emissions by going above and beyond regulatory requirements. I congratulate the 2014 award recipients.” The 2014 Port Metro Vancouver Blue Circle Award recipients are: Celebrity Cruises CMA CGM Disney Cruise Line Eukor Car Carriers Inc. Grieg Star Shipping (Canada) Ltd. Hanjin Shipping Co. Ltd Hapag-Lloyd (Canada) Inc. Holland America Line Hyundai Merchant Marine “K” Line Maersk ...

Progress was made this during Port Metro Vancouver’s 2014 Alaska cruise season, to reduce emissions as Royal Caribbean Cruises Limited joined fellow cruise line companies Disney, Holland America and Princess with the ability to use shore power in Vancouver. Shore power reduces marine diesel air emissions by allowing ships to shut down their engines and connect to BC Hydro’s electrical grid while at dock. Since its inception in 2009, shore power connections in Vancouver have reduced greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by more than 11,000 tonnes. Further opportunities for shore power connections were made possible in part thanks to the addition of a third shore power connection arm at Canada Place in 2013, funded by Transport Canada. “We are pleased to see the 2014 cruise season numbers holding strong, on par with last year” said Peter Xotta, Vice President of Planning and Operations, Port Metro Vancouver. “The decision by an additional cruise line to enable shore power was another win, providing more opportunities to reduce emissions and contribute to our local quality of life”. The 2014 season’s cruise numbers contributed to an exceptional year for tourism in the region. Each time a cruise ship arrives, it stimulate more than $2 million in ...

Leading representatives from SAR Organisations in Canada and trustees of the IMRF have met to discuss the challenges in the area

Port Metro Vancouver unveiled new security assets that will help maintain the safe, efficient and reliable movement of marine traffic and cargo within the port