Canadian Grant to Electrify Cargo Docks at Port of Quebec
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The Canadian government announced Nov. 8 it will give C$22.5 million to a Port of Quebec project to bring shore power to two docks for electrifying general cargo vessels owned by Montreal-based Fednav Ltd.
“It’s now more important than ever to protect our planet and build a greener economy for Quebecers and Canadians,” said Anita Anand, transport minister and president of the Treasury Board. “By investing in green technologies at our ports, we’re reducing emissions, supporting sustainable jobs, promoting economic growth, and setting a new standard for environmental stewardship in Quebec’s maritime sector.”
The grant is from Canada’s Green Shipping Corridor Program, which funds low- and zero-emission shipping ventures along with port and terminal equipment and infrastructure. Specific initiatives include electrifying cargo ships, encouraging other zero-emission vessels and advancing green shore power technology. The goal is to develop zero-emission shipping corridors and decarbonize the maritime industry along the Great Lakes, St. Lawrence Seaway and Canada’s East and West Coasts.
The new C$22.5 million federal investment will help offset a C$55 million project at the Port of Quebec to electrify three docks with shore power connections for cruise ships. It will also fund electrification of docks to provide power directly to merchant vessels. The project will help create the green shipping corridor in the St. Lawrence River region and enable the Port of Quebec to lower its emissions 40% in 11 years.
Girard
“We have made dockside ship electrification a pillar of our Vision 2035 for good reason,” noted Mario Girard, Port of Quebec president and CEO. “This project will position the Port of Quebec as a world leader and will have a major impact on the decarbonization of port activities in Quebec City.”
Port officials announced they will seek help from the Quebec government to obtain the remaining funds for the project.
“Fewer than 3% of the world’s ports are equipped for dockside electrification,” according to the port. “These investments will enhance the Saint Lawrence Seaway’s attractiveness as a tourist destination. This will give an undeniable advantage to the ports along the Saint Lawrence while adding one more advantage to the Port of Quebec’s competitiveness.”
The port stated that the two electrified docks would be used by “general cargo ships connected to the resupply of the mining industry in the Canadian North.” Although the port didn’t identify any shipowners, the federal government’s Transport Canada listed shipowner Fednav as a collaborator in the dockside electrification of cargo ships at the Port of Quebec.
“The Port of Quebec plays a vital role in our economy, creating good, well-paying jobs in the Quebec region, and opening us up to the international markets of our American allies and the world. Today’s announcement will help strengthen the maritime sector and reduce its impact on the environment,” said Jean-Yves Duclos, minister of Public Services and Procurement Canada, who is also Quebec Lieutenant.
In 2023, the port handled 27.8 million tonnes of cargo, including agriculture, construction, energy, mining, transportation and steel products.
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