Cruise ships can now be powered by electricity at the Port of Montreal
The Montreal Port Authority (MPA) has announced that its shore power project has been completed and that vessels docking at the Port of Montreal’s new cruise terminal can now be powered by electricity. This two-pronged project is expected to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 2,800 tonnes per year.
Shore power is a very effective way to reduce air emissions from marine diesel engines. It leads to better ambient air quality by enabling ships to turn off their engines and connect to the power grid for the power they need while they are docked.
This is the first green initiative of its kind in Quebec. The project was rolled out in two phases. The first was shore power for wintering vessels and the second, for cruise ships. In 2016, the MPA developed four power supply stations at berths 25, 27, 29 and M2 for vessels that winter at the Port.
As part of the rehabilitation of Alexandra Pier and the cruise terminal, the MPA had the necessary equipment installed to provide shore power for cruise ships, working with its technical partners. To provide a sufficiently powerful power supply for cruise ships, Hydro-Québec installed a new 25 kV line to supply the new substation installed at the cruise terminal in 2016. For its part, Schneider Electric designed and built the equipment needed to install the electrical substation. Carried out in 2016 and 2017, these works led on July 29 to the successfully completed, first ever connection to Holland America Line’s cruise ship, the ms Veendam.
The total project cost was $11 million. The government of Canada is contributing up to $5 million under its Shore Power Technology for Ports Program. The government of Quebec contributed $3 million under its program to improve marine, air and rail transportation efficiency to reduce GHG emissions (PETMAF en matière de réduction des émissions de GES). The MPA, for its part, contributed $3 million to the project.
About the Port of Montreal
Operated by the Montreal Port Authority (MPA), the Port of Montreal is the second largest port in Canada and a diversified transshipment centre that handles all types of goods: containerized and non-containerized cargo, liquid bulk and dry bulk. It is a leading container port served by the largest container shipping lines in the world.
The Port of Montreal has its own rail network directly dockside. It is connected to the two national rail networks and a highway system. The Port operates a passenger terminal. All other terminals are run by private stevedoring firms. Port activity supports 16,000 jobs and generates $2.1 billion in economic benefits annually.
