Prince Rupert Port Authority Announces 2019 Green Wave Award Recipients

EFFECTIVE JULY 22, 2020

PRINCE RUPERT, BRITISH COLUMBIA – The Prince Rupert Port Authority (PRPA) is pleased to announce that five companies are being honoured for their outstanding participation in its Green Wave environmental incentive program in 2019.

They include past recipients COSCO, Maersk, and BC Ferries, as well as two new recipients – Ocean Network Express and Pacific Basin.

PRPA’s Green Wave program rewards shippers by offering discounted harbour fees to vessel owners who voluntarily invest in sustainable practices. Commercial vessels are scored on air emission control and underwater noise reduction measures and allotted savings through a three-tier system. Last year there were 25 vessel calls that met the strict criteria to qualify for the top tier and earn the greatest savings.

PRPA is committed to mitigating environmental impacts of the Port of Prince Rupert effectively, and its annual Green Wave Awards acknowledge commercial vessel owners who actively employ measures on ships that make the Prince Rupert port industry more environmentally friendly. One of the mechanisms for inclusion in the incentive program is RightShip’s Greenhouse Gas Emissions (GHG) Rating. The method, developed by the world’s leader in maritime environmental assessment, rates vessels on their relative efficiency. In 2019, 20 percent of vessels that called on the Port of Prince Rupert qualified for Green Wave through the RightShip GHG Rating criteria. As a result, 5,020 tonnes of GHG emissions were avoided, which is equivalent to removing 1,085 passenger vehicles from the road for a year.

Recognizing environmental stewardship and reducing the impacts of a growing port are key to the Port of Prince Rupert’s future sustainability. By offering these financial incentives, PRPA directly encourages vessel owners to further embrace safer environmental practices and promote efficiency and sustainability around the world. 

“The Prince Rupert Port Authority congratulates the five recipients of the 2019 Green Wave Awards for their ongoing efforts to mitigate the impact their vessels have on the water, air and wildlife in and around our port,” said Ken Veldman, Vice President of Public Affairs and Sustainability of the Prince Rupert Port Authority. “We also wish to acknowledge and support all vessel owners who participate in our Green Wave program on every level. Their commitment to a greener future is key to ensuring the success of our gateway.”

PRPA’s Green Wave program has been active since 2012, and has continually adapted its criteria to address port sustainability goals and raise the bar for vessel eligibility. For more information on PRPA’s Green Wave vessel incentive program and our other environmental initiatives, please visit https://www.rupertport.com/green-wave-program-for-shippers/.

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ABOUT THE PRINCE RUPERT PORT AUTHORITY:

The Prince Rupert Port Authority manages the Port of Prince Rupert, Canada’s northernmost trade gateway on the west coast. The Port of Prince Rupert anchors one of the fastest and most reliable supply chains between North America and Asia, providing vital infrastructure to support shippers and industries as they move their goods and resources to market. The port handles approximately $50 billion in trade value per year and supports an estimated 3,600 direct supply-chain jobs in northern BC, $310 million in annual wages, and $125.5 million in annual government revenue. In 2019, a record 29.9 million tonnes of cargo moved through the Port of Prince Rupert.

FOR MEDIA INQUIRIES CONTACT:
Monika Cote
Manager, Corporate Communications
Prince Rupert Port Authority
250.627.2550
mcote@rupertport.com