The first-ever cruise ship filled-up up with an alternative fuel at the Port of Vancouver last week, receiving LNG (liquefied natural gas) from Seaspan Energy's LNG bunker vessel Seaspan Garibaldi as it prepares to sail to Alaska.

LNG is the first alternative fuel available in significant quantities for the international maritime sector that has been approved for local bunkering-or ship refuelling services-with deep-sea vessels now able to refuel with it at the Port of Vancouver.

The adoption of LNG bunkering at the port marks an important milestone as the Vancouver Fraser Port Authority supports industry efforts to enhance sustainability and reduce emissions.

The transition away from traditional marine fuels, such as heavy fuel oil and marine diesel, to cleaner fuels such as LNG is key to reducing emissions and meeting decarbonization targets at the Port of Vancouver and worldwide. Offering services like alternative fuel bunkering and shore power infrastructure in Vancouver supports the goals of visiting cruise lines, as they actively work towards reducing their emissions and reaching net zero by 2050, in line with International Maritime Organization targets.

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 became the first accredited supplier of LNG for ships calling the Port of Vancouver last fall, 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.

Source: Vancouver Fraser Port Authority

 

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