Twenty-three recipients recognized with Blue Circle Awards for voluntary efforts to conserve energy and reduce emissions

June 7, 2019

This week, the Vancouver Fraser Port Authority awarded 23 marine carriers and terminal operators with a Blue Circle Award for their voluntary efforts to conserve energy and reduce emissions in the Port of Vancouver.

Fourteen shipping lines, two cruise lines, four coastal marine operators, and three terminal operators were the recipients of the 10^th annual Blue Circle Awards. The awards recognize industry partners that excel in environmental stewardship and attain the highest level of participation in the port authority’s EcoAction Program and Energy Action Initiative.

“We are committed to reducing the impact of port operations on the environment and on our neighbouring communities, and are proud of the environmental leadership demonstrated by our terminal, shipping, and industry partners,” said Robin Silvester, president and chief executive officer at the Vancouver Fraser Port Authority. “We are honoured to recognize 23 recipients with a Blue Circle Award this year for their efforts above and beyond regulatory requirements to conserve energy and reduce air emissions. Congratulations to the 2018 award recipients.”

Since 2007, the port authority’s EcoAction Program has recognized a variety of fuel, technology and environmental management options that make ship operators eligible to receive discounted harbour dues rates. In 2018, the port authority expanded its industry-leading EcoAction Program to increase the number of underwater noise-reducing options and updated the air emissions reduction options eligible for discounted harbour dues.

The Energy Action Initiative is a joint program with BC Hydro that helps terminal operators and other port tenants enhance their energy-conservation practices and save costs. The goal of this program is to protect the energy security of our growing port by reducing energy waste.

2018 Blue Circle Award recipients in EcoAction Program category:

• Alliance Maritime
• BC Ferries
• China Navigation
• CMA CGM
• Disney Cruise Line
• Evergreen Line
• G2 Ocean
• Hamburg Süd
• Hapag-Lloyd
• HMM
• “K” Line
• MSC Mediterranean Shipping Company
• North Arm Transportation
• ONE – Ocean Network Express
• Pacific Basin Shipping
• Princess Cruises
• Saam Smit Towage
• Seaspan ULC
• TORM
• Westwood Shipping Lines

2018 Blue Circle Award recipients in Energy Action Initiative category:

• Cascadia Port Management Corporation
• Neptune Terminals
• Viterra Pacific Elevators

2018 Blue Circle Award highlights:

• “K” Line, Princess Cruises and Westwood Shipping Lines have been awarded every year since the inaugural awards in 2009.
• Hapag-Lloyd has been recognized nine times.
• Disney Cruise Line has received an award for every year it has homeported in Vancouver.
• CMA CGM, HMM, and Mediterranean Shipping Company have won this award for six consecutive years since 2013.
• Hamburg Süd has won this award for four consecutive years since 2015.
• In its second year, the Energy Action Initiative awards category continues to expand.

Vancouver Fraser Port Authority initiatives focused on building and maintaining a sustainable gateway have been widely celebrated. We have been recognized for sustainability performance by Corporate Knights, MarCom and Clean Tech50.

For photos of the event, please visit our website.

About Vancouver Fraser Port Authority

The Vancouver Fraser Port Authority is responsible for the stewardship of the federal port lands in and around Vancouver, British Columbia. It is financially self-sufficient and accountable to the federal minister of transport and operates pursuant to the Canada Marine Act. The Port of Vancouver is Canada’s largest, and the third largest in North America by tonnes of cargo, facilitating trade between Canada and more than 170 world economies. Located in a naturally beautiful setting on Canada’s west coast, the port authority and port terminals and tenants are responsible for the efficient and reliable movement of goods and passengers, integrating environmental, social and economic sustainability initiatives into all areas of port operations. Enabling the trade of approximately $240 billion in goods, port activities sustain 115,300 jobs, $7 billion in wages, and $11.9 billion in GDP across Canada.

About the Blue Circle Awards:

The Blue Circle Awards recognize marine carriers and terminal operators that excel in environmental stewardship and attain the highest participation rates in the Vancouver Fraser Port Authority’s EcoAction Program and Energy Action Initiative. The EcoAction Program recognizes a variety of fuel, technology and environmental management options that are eligible to receive discounted harbour due rates. Ships may qualify for one of three levels in the EcoAction Program: Gold, Silver or Bronze. Marine carriers and operators can apply for the program at each call or provide an annual declaration for their vessels. Energy Action Initiative is a joint program with BC Hydro that helps terminal operators and other port tenants enhance their energy-conservation practices and save costs. Offering user-friendly financial incentives to improve environmental performance and energy management is one way the Vancouver Fraser Port Authority works together with customers and industry stakeholders to promote economic prosperity through trade while protecting the environment.

Media contact:
Danielle Jang
Media Relations Advisor
604.340.8617
Danielle.Jang@portvancouver.com

NT4