HAMILTON — The Hamilton-Oshawa Port Authority (HOPA) has announced what it is calling a green shipping milestone. For the first time ever on the Great Lakes, a marine vessel refuelled with liquefied natural gas (LNG).
Carrying a load of asphalt, the MV Damia Desgagnes docked at the Port of Hamilton’s Pier 22 on recently to refuel before departing for Detroit, stated a release. As a result of a new partnership between the Hamilton-Oshawa Port Authority and REV LNG, marine vessels will now be able to refuel with LNG during any stopover at Hamilton Port.
REV LNG, a Pennsylvania-based LNG services provider, was responsible for the commercial and technical development of the project, LNG transportation and shore-side operations. Pivotal LNG, a U.S.-based provider of LNG marine fuel, contributed to the project with consulting expertise and LNG supply from the new Towanda Liquefaction and Storage Facility, located in Bradford County, Pennsylvania. The facility is owned and operated by an affiliate of Pivotal LNG in partnership with REV LNG.
“As a founding member of the Green Marine program, we are always looking for new ways to support improved environmental performance. This offering to our shipping customers will keep HOPA at the forefront,” said HOPA CEO Ian Hamilton in a statement. “We look forward to continuing to find new ways to support improving air quality, reducing GHGs, and working collaboratively with Canadian and U.S. marine and energy sector partners to help accelerate the adoption of LNG, and spur further fuel innovations. It also aligns with HOPA’s goal to be carbon neutral by 2025.”
Using LNG as a marine fuel reduces lifecycle GHG emissions by 21 per cent over conventional oil-based bunker fuel, the release states. It also improves air quality by eliminating 100 per cent of sulphur, 90 per cent of NOX and all particulate matter.
“We expect this will signal the beginning of LNG bunkering in a key marine market, and REV’s special co-ordination and attention to safety will keep customers coming back,” said Dave Kailbourne, CEO of REV LNG.
In 2020, the International Maritime Organization set out new targets for marine fleets to cut GHG emissions or carbon intensity per ton of cargo moved by 40 per cent by 2030, and by 70 per cent by 2050. Currently, the only LNG capacity at ports in Canada exists along the west coast in B.C. and the St Lawrence River in Montreal and Quebec City.
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