Canada commits $25M to green shipping along British Columbia coastline

February 13, 2025, by Sara Kosmajac

The Government of Canada is advancing green shipping initiatives along British Columbia’s coastline with up to C$35.5 million (circa $24.8 million) in funding to support three projects investing in clean technology and port infrastructure.

As disclosed, the funding will be provided under Canada’s Green Shipping Corridor Program, a ‘pillar’ of the country’s decarbonization strategy centered around the establishment of green shipping corridors and speeding up the transition to low-carbon and zero-emission fuels and technologies within the marine sector along the Great Lakes, the St. Lawrence Seaway, as well as Canada’s East and West Coasts.

According to the government, the C$35.5 million grant is going toward increasing the use of clean energy and transportation infrastructure at ports and terminals, investing in shore power technology to cut down on emissions from idling ships, and prioritizing low-emission and low-noise vessels to reduce the environmental impact in port areas.

As informed, the three companies that have clinched the funding are transport provider Seaspan Ferries Corporation (SFC), the Greater Victoria Harbour Authority (GVHA) and the Vancouver Fraser Port Authority (VFPA).

Up to C$6,412,500 will reportedly go to Seaspan Ferries for its shore power project that involves implementing the necessary equipment at four Seaspan terminals – in Delta, Nanaimo, North Saanich and Surrey – and performing the associated upgrades to a roll-on/roll-off ferry quartet operating between these terminals.

The government shared that up to C$22,500,000 has been set aside for GVHA’s shore power initiative that would see the installation of the equipment at the Ogden Point cruise terminal in support of the authority’s effort to set up a green cruise corridor on the West Coast.

This comes less than two years since the authority received $9 million from the Province of British Columbia to plan and install shore power infrastructure at Ogden Point to offer cruise ships access to clean hydroelectricity, switch off their engine and, thus, preserve the environment.

British Columbia provides $9M funding for shore power for Victoria cruise ships

Infrastructure

Finally, the government unveiled that up to C$6,600,000 will be put into Vancouver Fraser Port Authority’s endeavor to upgrade shore power infrastructure at the Canada Place cruise terminal to increase the availability and accessibility of shore power for cruise ships. This effort is anticipated to help the port authority’s work on creating a green cruise corridor on the country’s west coast.

“Marine shipping is vital to British Columbia’s economy, Canada’s economy, and our way of life. It’s essential that it remains affordable, safe, efficient, and environmentally friendly. By investing in projects like these, we’re not only strengthening our economy but also paving the way for a cleaner, more sustainable future,” the Minister of Transport and Internal Trade Anita Anand commented.

Speaking about this development, Mark Mawhinney, Board Chair of the Greater Victoria Harbour Authority, highlighted: “Shore Power is a catalyst for the electrification of our deep-water port, and today’s funding will support future economic growth and development in Greater Victoria.”

“Renewable energy options will further establish a Green Shipping corridor across the Pacific Northwest and significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions. We want to thank the Minister and government for supporting the clean evolution of our working harbor,” he added.

Marianne Alto, the City of Victoria Mayor, called the Greater Victoria Harbour a “crucial gateway” to the city, making the government funding particularly significant.

“Greater Victoria Harbour is a crucial gateway to Victoria. Electrifying and reducing emissions from Harbour operations will attract new investment to our port and city, and help ensure Victorians and those that visit us enjoy clean air and water as they experience our diverse community. I thank Transport Canada for partnering in this important initiative and local investment,” she underscored.

Representing a $165.4 million investment, the Green Shipping Corridor Program was announced back in December 2023. Per the government, this program encompasses two streams of funding: the Clean Ports stream which supports the adoption of clean technologies, and the Clean Vessel Demonstration stream which offers funding to study and test clean fuel propulsion systems for ships.

Since its inception, the program has seen the allocation of substantial amounts of money to initiatives intending to accelerate Canada’s climate neutrality ambitions. For instance, in July 2024, $1.7 million was awarded to 14 projects via the Clean Vessel Demonstration stream.

In November 2024, the government allotted up to $25.2 million for four projects revolving around shore power and alternative fuel solutions. It was disclosed that the grant would back the upgrade of existing infrastructure and the construction (and upgrade) of fueling infrastructure for the use of green fuels as well as pave the way for a study that would explore the feasibility of making a new public port.

More recently, i.e. on February 5, 2025, the Halifax Port Authority received around C$22.5 million to give a boost to the Halifax-Hamburg green shipping corridor and prepare the port for future fuels and energy sources.