HPA starts shore power project

Canadian port to enable visiting ships to connect to electrical shore power
HPA starts shore power project

By Rebecca Gibson |


Work to install an electrical shore power system for cruise vessels has started at the Port of Halifax in Nova Scotia, Canada.

Initially announced last January, Halifax Port Authority’s (HPA) shore power project was developed in partnership with Nova Scotia Power and as part of the Shore Power Technology for Ports Program. Part of the Canadian government’s Clean Air Agenda, the project has received CAD2.5 million in funding from the Province of Nova Scotia and up to CAD5 million from Transport Canada. HPA will also contribute CAD2.5 million.

“The Government of Canada is pleased to see that construction of shore power has begun at the Port of Halifax,” said Lisa Raitt, minister of transport. “Once installed, shore power will reduce air emissions from ships, protect the environment and health of Nova Scotians and further this region’s economic prosperity.”

Cruise vessels visiting Halifax typically dock in port for around nine hours and after the new system has been installed, operators will be able to connect to electrical shore power, rather than using the ship’s auxiliary generators. This will eliminate carbon dioxide, mono nitrogen oxide, sulphur oxide and particulate matter emissions from ships when in port.

“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 the electrical grid in order to provide necessary power while docked,” said Cathy McGrail, HPA’s cruise development manager. “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.”

In 2014, the Port of Halifax – which generates around CAD50 million for the local economy each year from visiting cruise vessels – expects to handle a record 137 ships and around 230,000 passengers and crew.

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