PRPA's Green Wave program success measured in years, and tonnes

The Prince Rupert Port Authority's Green Wave program is celebrating it's 10th birthday this year and as they do, they have recognized five marine related companies when it comes to outstanding participation in the program in the last year.

Launched in 2013, PRPA’s Green Wave program provides financial incentives to shippers who voluntarily invest in environmentally sustainable practices. Commercial vessels are assessed and allotted savings on their harbour dues based on the magnitude of their air emission and underwater noise performance. 

PRPA continues to enhance and adapt the Green Wave program standards to meet the evolving best practices recognized across the global maritime industry.

Some of this years recipients of the PRPA Green Wave Award are new to the list, with four returning recipients also recognized for their continued efforts in environmental sustainability.

The recipients of the 2022 Green Wave Award include container shipping companies COSCO Shipping Lines, MSC Mediterranean Shipping Company, and SM Line, along with liquified gas shipping line, Navigator Gas LLC, and BC Ferries. 

PRPA also acknowledges the owners of two vessels – PIAVIA and NBA Rubens – for actively employing technology to reduce the underwater noise generated by their respective ships and its impact on the communications of marine mammals on the North Coast.

The Prince Rupert Port Authority added to the opportunities for marine shippers to decrease their carbon footprint last year, when it introduced shore power to the DP World  Fairview Container Terminal, 

The Port notes from their information statement of Thursday that the recently expanded infrastructure allows ships at both berths to shut down their main generators and rely on shore-based hydroelectric power while their cargo is handled. 

Enabling ships to use shore power equipment is expected to reduce carbon emissions in the local airshed by nearly 30,000 tonnes annually – the equivalent to removing 6,500 typical passenger vehicles from the road every year.

PRPA President and CEO Shaun Stevenson saluted those recipients for 2022 and highlighted how the Green Wave program continues to evolve.

“The Prince Rupert Port Authority commends the recipients of the 2022 Green Wave Award for their shared commitment to reducing the impacts of commercial shipping operations and passenger transportation on Canada’s west coast. 

PRPA is proud of its leadership in sustainability programs and the participation rate it garners from the shipping industry calling on the Port of Prince Rupert as we all work together to continuously improve environmental performance in our industry and accelerate the adoption of sustainability practices globally. The Green Wave program is one of the many ways in which we work to achieve this.”

The announcement of this years successful recipients was released through a video posted to the PRPA website on Thursday.

You can learn more about yesterday's announcement and the Green Wave initiative from the PRPA;s information release.

More notes on Port related themes can be reviewed from our archive page.