Halifax Port next to offer shore power

Construction of a shore power system is now underway at the port, which is part of the Government of Canada’s Clean Air Agenda renewal.

“Shore power is a highly effective way to reduce marine diesel air emissions by enabling ships to shut down their auxiliary engines and connect to eh electrical grid in order to provide necessary power while docked,” said Cathy McGrail, cruise development manager, HPH.

“Once installed, shore power at the Port of Halifax will have immediate benefits by decreasing cruise ship idling and will contribute to improved air quality,” she added.

Typically, vessels are in port for approximately nine hours, and during that time if connected to shore power, there would be no carbon dioxide, nitrogen oxides, sulphur oxides or particulate matter emissions.

This year, the port will welcome a record 137 cruise vessel calls carrying around 230,000 passengers as well as crew.

For the project, Transport Canada will provide CAN$5m, while the Province of Nova Scotia and the Port of Halifax will each contribute an additional CAN$2.5m.

The shore power systems are being provided by Seattle-based Cochran Marine.