Port Metro Vancouver Raises the Bar on Air Quality

Toughest emissions standards, Cleaner Air

VANCOUVER, July 23 /CNW/ - Port Metro Vancouver has raised the bar when it comes to lowering air emissions in the key areas the Northwest Ports Clean Air Strategy 2009 Implementation Report has laid out, including rail, cargo handling equipment, ocean going vessels, port administration, harbour craft and trucks. Emissions reduction targets in the 2009 report set a common goal, but Port Metro Vancouver's efforts to protect the air shed have exceeded expectations.

Port Metro Vancouver emissions reduction programs have received international acclaim, having been awarded the Globe 2010 ecoFreight Award for Sustainable Transportation. The Port has also been credited for its Air Action Program, having been nominated for the International Sustainable Shipping Award.

"Port Metro Vancouver has received international recognition for the forward thinking sustainability initiatives we have underway, thanks in large part to the support of our terminal operators and industry partners, like those in rail and trucking," said Robin Silvester, Port Metro Vancouver President and Chief Executive Officer, "By working together, we have seen significant improvement in ongoing emissions reduction efforts and as a direct result, the Port is well ahead of the curve when it comes to lowering our carbon footprint," he said.

The Northwest Ports Clean Air Strategy 2009 Implementation Report outlines progress by the Port and its regional partners, the ports of Seattle and Tacoma, to meet jointly established short- and long-term clean air goals for ships, cargo-handling equipment, rail, trucks and harbour craft.

"I'm very pleased that Port Metro Vancouver has made good progress in a number of sectors, and emerged as a regional leader in air emissions standards and results for truck emissions and Port administration," said Darrell Desjardin, Director of Environmental Services, Port Metro Vancouver, "There is always more that can be done, but we have set the bar high, and will continually work to reduce air emissions across all of the sectors," he said.

Port Metro Vancouver Air Quality Improvements:

- Container truck emissions reduction compliance increased to 100% in 2009, up from 95% compliance in 2008, highlighting the effectiveness of working directly with the trucking community over the long term to achieve results in a collaborative and sustainable manner. Further emission reduction measures for container trucks are planned for 2011 and will put Port Metro Vancouver five years ahead of the targets.

- Working with Princess Cruise Lines, Holland America, BC Hydro, the Province of BC and the Government of Canada, Port Metro Vancouver implemented shore power for cruise ships at Canada Place in late 2009. An estimated 58 shore power connections are expected in the 2010 cruise season exceeding the 2010 Strategy target for ocean going vessels.

- In 2009 32% of cargo handling equipment in the Port met or exceeded the Strategy 2010 performance measure and a further 38 % made progress towards the measure with the use of ultra low sulphur diesel (ULSD) or biodiesel with ULSD. Fully electric cargo handling equipment, such as on-dock container rail gantry cranes, also reduces both criteria air contaminants and green house gases but are not included in the Strategy reporting.

- Port Metro Vancouver and Viterra provided a demonstration of the low emission multi-genset locomotive- an "eco-train" that was acquired in 2008. Three other facilities, Alliance Grain Terminal, Neptune Bulk Terminals and Petro Canada Terminals purchased similar "eco-trains" in 2009, including two with automatic idle shutdown. A fifth terminal, Fraser Surrey Docks has been operating a hybrid electric "Green Kid" locomotive since the spring of 2004 which by design does not idle.

- Port Metro Vancouver is a regional leader in Port administration emission reduction efforts that include the development of a comprehensive emission inventory and "carbon neutral strategy", the use of hybrid vehicles, achieving LEED Gold standard at 999 Canada Place, Port Metro Vancouver's Head Office, and purchasing Green Power Certificates through BC Hydro.

The Strategy performance targets were adopted in early 2008 as part of the ground-breaking Northwest Ports Clean Air Strategy. The implementation report outlines the annual progress achieved by all three ports through their cooperative relationships with customers, tenants, and air and environmental regulatory agencies.

For further information: Duncan Wilson, Director of Communications and Government Relations, Port Metro Vancouver, 604-665-9067