Prince Rupert Port Boosts Its Green Wave Program

Canada’s port of Prince Rupert is enhancing one of its programs that rewards positive environmental performance, known as the Green Wave.

The program was launched in 2013 and provides incentives for shipping companies to install emission-reduction technology or other sustainable systems on vessels.

The Port Authority offers discounts on harbour dues when such vessels call at the Port of Prince Rupert. In 2014, participation grew to 140 vessels, accounting for nearly half of the Port’s 494 vessel annual calls.

“2015 has already seen even greater year-over-year participation, which is a testament to the shipping industry’s awareness and support for increased environmental performance and sustainability,” said Don Krusel, President and CEO of the Prince Rupert Port Authority.

“By rewarding clean vessels, we are reducing local air emissions and connecting to a global effort to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions.”

The program uses rankings in various environmental programs including RightShip, Green Marine, the Environmental Ship Index, the Green Award, Clean Shipping Index and the Energy Efficiency Design Index (EEDI).

Earlier this month the Port of Prince Rupert rolled out revisions to a number of program criteria, both to increase the recognition of vessels with the lowest footprint and to adapt to new international standards now in place.

RightShip’s GHG Emissions Rating, which measures an individual ship’s CO2 output, is represented by an A-G scale where A represents the most efficient vessel.

RightShip “A” rated vessels will now qualify for Tier 3 discounts in the program, rewarding the top performing vessels.

With new North American Emission Control Area measures in place, which enforce 0.1% sulphur content for fuel used by commercial vessels, Green Marine qualifications will shift from SOx to GHG-based measures. EEDI will also evolve to include a mechanism for vessels to qualify for a Tier 2 discount.