Electrification, shore power and new energy infrastructure are currently shaping the redevelopment of Canadian ports on the Atlantic, Pacific and inland coasts. The government-funded modernisation programme is creating concrete market opportunities for German technology providers and planning offices, particularly in the fields of energy, port logistics and environmental technology.

Halifax as a pilot for green port operations

The Port of Halifax is developing into a model project for Canadian port decarbonisation. The federal government and port authority are investing up to US$18.5 million in climate-friendly infrastructure there. This is being financed primarily through the Green Shipping Corridor Program and supplemented by the National Trade Corridors Fund. For the first time, large-scale measures aimed directly at low-emission port operations are being promoted.

In terms of content, Halifax is following international examples, including the early green shipping route Seattle–Vancouver–Alaska, while at the same time putting into practice the cooperation with the Port of Hamburg that began in 2022. For German providers, this creates a subsidy-supported entry-level market with a pilot character that facilitates the use of technology and subsequent scaling.

Pacific coast: shore power as a measurable climate factor

Canada is also pursuing a clear electrification strategy on the west coast. In the province of British Columbia, three shore power projects are being supported with up to 26 million US dollars. A single container ship connected to shore power in the port of Vancouver saves around 95 tonnes of CO₂e – a figure that underlines the economic relevance of the technology.

Prince Rupert provides a practical example: there, container ships are supplied with electricity at both berths, which, according to the port authority, saves almost 30,000 tonnes of CO₂ per year and significantly reduces other air pollutants. At the same time, the project shows that shore power systems function reliably in North American liner operations.

In contrast, Victoria illustrates the limitations of large-scale projects. The planned shore power project at the Ogden Point cruise terminal has been suspended for the time being after further review, as the necessary grid infrastructure would have cost over US$66 million. Instead, the port authority is now pursuing phased and modular electrification, which is generating short-term demand for grid studies and technical planning.

St. Lawrence region: Electrified corridor under construction

A continuous green port network is being created along the St. Lawrence River. In Québec City, berths for cruise ships and cargo ships are being electrified, partly in collaboration with the shipping company Fednav. In Montréal, the Viterra and Bickerdike terminals are also being equipped with shore power systems. This will create reliable ports of call for electrified port processes in inland and maritime transport.

Where German technology is in high demand

• Shore power technology and energy infrastructure: converters, medium and low voltage technology, transformer stations, switching and protection systems, cable management and grid-compatible energy optimisation in accordance with IEC standards.
• Electrification of port and handling equipment: Electric container gantry cranes, yard tractors, charging infrastructure and battery storage to cushion fluctuating grids.
• Hydrogen peripherals: Pre-stages of electrolysis, storage and compression solutions, and measurement and safety technology, explicitly eligible for funding in Halifax.
• Digital measurement and monitoring systems: Energy and emissions reporting, interfaces to Green Marine assessments and IMO standards, and data platforms for analysing lay times.
• Grid planning and technical feasibility studies: Grid studies, load profile analyses and modular expansion concepts, particularly relevant for complex projects such as in Victoria.

Federal policy, standards and market pressure

The individual projects are supported by a clear federal policy strategy. Programs such as GSCP and NTCF finance the electrification of port processes nationwide, supplemented by the Oceans Protection Plan with a volume of 2.6 billion US dollars. In addition, Canada has committed to the development of green shipping corridors with the Clydebank Declaration.

The effect is also evident in voluntary environmental assessments: ports such as Halifax and Montréal have been achieving top marks in the Green Marine Standard for years, which is increasingly influencing tenders and operator decisions. This trend is reinforced by international regulation, such as the EU requirement for shore power usage from 2030, which makes port infrastructure along transatlantic routes a decisive competitive factor.

Source: GTAI (in German)