Canadian ports biofuel case study

A first-of-its-kind study, The Canadian Green Shipping Corridor Assessment, by sustainable development consultancy Arup in tandem with Lloyd’s Register Maritime Decarbonisation Hub, has highlighted the role ports play in creating green shipping corridors.

“Canada has the mindset, talent, and renewable energy landscape to build a coalition that demonstrates zero-emission shipping,” said Ginger Garte, environmental and sustainability director, Americas, Lloyd’s Register, said.

“We must now unite stakeholders across the entire port supply chain with green shipping corridors, acting as catalysts to eliminate challenges and develop resilient infrastructure blueprints that optimise the co-benefits of Canada’s unique geology.”

The study, commissioned by marine conservation charity, Oceans North, created examples of illustrative fuel production pathways for three Canadian ports: Vancouver, Prince Rupert, and Halifax.

The potential development of low and zero-emission fuel uptake across different scenarios was analysed by the LR Maritime Decarbonisation Hub to estimate the size, type and cost of the infrastructure required.

The study found that a 200ktpa green methanol plant in the Port of Vancouver in British Columbia has the capacity to meet 2040 energy demands.

It also found that a carbon capture and storage enabled ammonia plant would be able to meet 2040 energy demands in the Port of Prince Rupert and that an investment of up to CAN$500m at the Port of Halifax could allow it to become a central hub for distributing ammonia-based fuel from production facilities elsewhere in Nova Scotia.A