Port of Vancouver

Port of Vancouver facilitates making shore power connections available at its marine terminals. Shore power capability qualifies ships calling the Port of Vancouver for the EcoAction program, providing discounted harbour due rates and opportunities to be recognized with the Blue Circle Award. Electricity used for shore power in the Port of Vancouver is almost entirely from renewable hydro sources, resulting in a significant reduction in emissions that impact local air quality and global climate change.  This electricity is provided at a favourable, shore power-specific rate to connecting vessels.

In 2009, the Canada Place cruise ship terminal became the first in Canada and third in the world to offer shore power for cruise ships. Canada Place East and West berths are equipped with 12.5kV, 14MW and 12MW, 60 Hz  shore power infrastructure respectively. In 2013, an additional connection point was installed to further facilitate connections. The cruise ship terminals shore power infrastructure was installed in collaboration between the port authority with cruise ship lines (Holland America and Princess Cruises), Federal and Provincial governments.

Shore power is also available to container ships at the Centerm terminal and at Deltaport, Canada’s largest container terminal. The container terminals shore power is provided at 6.6 kV, 7.5 MW, 60 Hz.  The port authority installed shore power with support from Transport Canada and BC Hydro, in collaboration with the respective container terminal operators DP World Vancouver and Global Container Terminals. Shore power facilities at Centerm berth five have been operational since May 2018, with the container shore power system there being the first in Canada adhering to current international standards for container ships. Shore power at Deltaport’s third berth was commissioned in November 2019.

The port authority is considering expansion of shore power facilities to additional berths, depending on the uptake by shipping lines, feasibility studies to confirm infrastructure conditions and electrical availability, and funding.

For more information on Port of Vancouver shore power please visit our website: https://www.portvancouver.com/environmental-protection-at-the-port-of-vancouver/climate-action-at-the-port-of-vancouver/shore-power/; or contact Dorota Kwasnik, Industrial Energy Manager at Dorota.kwasnik@portvancouver.com