The Vancouver Fraser Port Authority has issued its first liquefied natural gas (LNG) bunkering accreditation, with North Vancouver’s Seaspan Energy now authorized to refuel selected ships calling the Port of Vancouver with LNG.
As informed, the accreditation follows a rigorous multi-year assessment process that considered international best practices around safety, recognizing the recommended guidelines from the Society for Gas as a Marine Fuel (SGMF). As part of the extensive accreditation process, the port authority:
- Assessed operational procedures for LNG bunkering to ensure safety, efficiency and compliance with regulatory standards
- Approved designated locations for LNG bunkering to ensure suitability including assessing safety and any effects on day-to-day port operations
- Completed risk assessments, including reviewing potential hazards and mitigations, and evaluating emergency response plans
- Assessed proponent collaboration with key partner agencies, including local fire departments, Canadian Coast Guard, and Environment and Climate Change Canada
The accreditation makes LNG the first approved alternative fuel for ship bunkering (or marine fueling) at the Port of Vancouver, and supports efforts by the international shipping sector to move away from traditional marine heavy fuels and meet emissions reduction goals.
LNG and other fuels safely move through the port every day including various LNG-fueled deep-sea vessels already calling port terminals. In recent years dual-fuel LNG vessels calling the Port of Vancouver have included tankers, roll-on/roll-off ships carrying vehicles, and container and cruise ships.
Seaspan Energy is working towards operating three 112m-long LNG bunkering vessels named after iconic West Coast mountains; the Seaspan Garibaldi, the Seaspan Lions, and the Seaspan Baker.
Seaspan Energy’s accreditation means LNG-powered vessels will now be able to safely refuel while in port—enhancing efficiency and sustainability at Canada’s largest port.
As part of the port authority’s robust LNG accreditation program, Seaspan Energy will be required to renew its license annually to ensure it continues to meet the highest LNG bunkering safety standards and procedures.
To remind, earlier this month, the Vancouver Fraser Port Authority announced the expansion of a centralized scheduling system for marine traffic to include the entire Burrard Inlet.
