The first bunkering of a cruise ship with an alternative fuel has taken place at the Port of Vancouver.
Silversea’s Silver Nova received LNG from Seaspan Energy’s LNG bunker vessel Seaspan Garibaldi while en route to Alaska. LNG is considered the first alternative fuel available in significant quantities for the international maritime sector that has been approved for local bunkering with deep-sea vessels now able to refuel with it at the Port of Vancouver. The adoption of LNG bunkering at the port marks a milestone as the Vancouver Fraser Port Authority supports industry efforts to enhance sustainability and reduce emissions.
Capt Shri Madiwal, VP Operations and Supply Chain, Vancouver Fraser Port Authority, said: “We all have a crucial role to play enabling the energy transition and as a port authority our focus is on putting the infrastructure and processes in place to ensure visiting ships can move beyond traditional marine fuels and embrace alternative fuels like LNG. LNG is one of the most widely adopted alternative marine fuels and the first approved for bunkering at the Port of Vancouver—its introduction is a vital step forward as early planning gets underway to safely introduce other alternative fuels like ammonia and methanol.”
While biofuels have been available for bunkering at the port for several years in limited quantities, LNG represents the arrival of the first alternative to traditional diesel-based fuels and its introduction will support work towards introducing further alternative fuels such as ammonia. Seaspan Energy was the first accredited supplier of LNG for ships calling the Port of Vancouver, and currently operates three ship-to-ship LNG bunkering vessels on North America’s West Coast. The company has successfully completed several LNG bunkering operations for container, car carrier and bulk cargo ships in Vancouver already this year, as shippers embrace the availability of the alternative fuel. The LNG for Silver Nova was supplied by Fortis BC.
Harly Penner, President, Seaspan Energy, said: “We are proud to play a key role in advancing the shift to alternative marine fuels in North America’s fourth largest port and look to become a major centre for LNG bunkering. Providing dependable LNG bunkering services from Vancouver represents a major step forward. This first LNG bunkering of a cruise ship at the port is a milestone we are excited to share with the Port of Vancouver, as it signals meaningful progress in the industry’s decarbonisation efforts.”
Vancouver has a thriving cruise sector which is aiming to create sustainable operations and protect the environment, with measures such as shore power technology, using BC’s low emission, hydro-powered electrical grid.
Fortis BC VP Major Projects and LNG Mike Leclair said: “FortisBC is proud to be a part of the growth of LNG marine fuelling at the Port of Vancouver by providing fuel for Seaspan Energy’s first cruise ship bunkering event. We look forward to working with Seaspan Energy and Port of Vancouver operators to support the success of this initiative, driving innovation in the maritime industry.”
Image: ‘Silver Nova’ receives LNG fuel in Vancouver (source: Seaspan Energy)
