Cruise ships are a common sight in Halifax for much of the year, bringing with them a considerable number of passengers and a corresponding amount of pollution when they dock in the port. Brent Dancey, the director of marine climate action at Oceans North, described how a cloud of smoke often envelops the area around the port due to the ships’ emissions. Similar concerns have been raised by residents in other Canadian cities like St. John’s.
One solution to this issue is shore power, a system that allows ships to connect to the local electrical grid while docked, eliminating the need to burn fuel for power generation. This technology has the potential to significantly reduce the environmental impact of cruise ships, which currently rely on heavy fuel oils that produce harmful pollutants and greenhouse gases.
Despite the benefits of shore power, its adoption in Canadian ports remains limited. Currently, only four out of Canada’s 17 port authorities, including Vancouver, Prince Rupert, Montreal, and Halifax, offer shore power facilities for cruise and container ships. While international standards ensure compatibility between ships and ports, the coverage of shore power infrastructure in Canada lags behind other major ports worldwide.
Efforts to promote the use of shore power face challenges in Canada, with ships sometimes opting not to plug in even when the infrastructure is available. Factors such as alignment issues with docking facilities, cost considerations, and the lack of incentives may deter ships from utilizing shore power. However, the increasing focus on sustainability in the shipping industry, as evidenced by regulations in regions like the EU, California, and China, highlights the importance of transitioning towards cleaner energy sources like shore power.
As the global maritime sector moves towards decarbonization goals, shore power is expected to play a key role in shaping the future of ports. With the EU mandating shore power usage at major ports and California expanding its requirements to various types of vessels, including refrigerated cargo and oil tankers, the momentum towards sustainable practices in the shipping industry is evident. Canadian ports, including the proposed expansion in Montreal and potential upgrades to the Port of Churchill, will need to prioritize the adoption of shore power to remain competitive and environmentally responsible in the evolving maritime landscape.
