Hamburg, Germany: The Hamburg Port Authority (HPA) in Germany and the Vancouver Fraser Port Authority in Canada have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to collaborate across a range of port priorities including decarbonization, safety and cruise.
The MOU, signed November 7, 2024, will see the two port authorities increase cooperation across multiple key areas: maritime decarbonization; safety; digital practices and new technology; and cruise operations.
Work under the MOU will include assessing readiness to support alternative fuel bunkering, improving safety with new technology like drones, using predictive analytics to optimize operations, data governance and cyber security best practices, and opportunities for sustainable cruise port accreditation.
The two port authorities will also create new opportunities for employees to gain practical experience with the daily challenges and practices at the partner port.
Both ports are major gateways for their respective countries:
- The Port of Hamburg is not only the largest seaport in Germany and the third largest in Europe, but also Europe's largest rail port – even leading worldwide in many areas of hinterland connections by rail. At the same time, it is the largest industrial area in northern Europe. The port thus bears a great responsibility for both the people who work here and for the environment.
- The Port of Vancouver is Canada’s largest and North America’s most diversified port, helping Canada and Canadians thrive every day. Its 29 major terminals and more than 1,000 tenants move about $300 billion in trade every year across four sectors (auto, bulk, break-bulk, container), as well as support cruise operations.
“I am delighted to have signed this agreement with the Vancouver Fraser Port Authority. This further expands our network of partners who want to work with us on the decarbonization of maritime transport,” says Jens Meier, CEO of the HPA. “In addition, Vancouver is a valuable sparring partner for us in the exchange on efficient cruise handling within the city.”
“The Port of Vancouver is key trade hub for Canadians and their businesses, and we are thrilled to partner with the Port of Hamburg on work that will improve operations, sustainability and safety at both ports,” said Peter Xotta, President and CEO, Vancouver Fraser Port Authority. “We look forward to working in collaboration with our partners in Hamburg to improve efficiency, sustainability and innovation at both ports—in support of Canadians and Germans.”
About the Vancouver Fraser Port Authority and the Port of Vancouver
The Vancouver Fraser Port Authority is the federal agency responsible for the shared stewardship of the Port of Vancouver. Like all Canada Port Authorities, we are accountable to the federal minister of transport, and operate pursuant to the Canada Marine Act with a mandate to enable Canada’s trade through the Port of Vancouver, while protecting the environment and considering local communities. The port authority is structured as a non-share corporation, is financially self-sufficient and does not rely on tax dollars for operations. Our revenues come from port terminals and tenants who lease port lands, and from port users who pay various fees such as harbour dues. Profits are reinvested in port infrastructure. The port authority oversees the use of port land and water, which includes more than 16,000 hectares of water, over 1,500 hectares of land, and approximately 350 kilometres of shoreline. Located on the southwest coast of British Columbia in Canada, the Port of Vancouver extends from Roberts Bank and the Fraser River up to and including Burrard Inlet, bordering 16 municipalities and intersecting the traditional territories and treaty lands of more than 35 Coast Salish Indigenous groups. The Port of Vancouver is Canada’s largest port, and the fourth largest in North America by tonnes of cargo. Enabling the trade of approximately $300 billion in goods with up to 170 countries each year, port activities sustain 132,400 jobs, $9.3 billion in wages, and $16.3 billion in GDP across Canada.
About Hamburg Port Authority
Since 2005 the Hamburg Port Authority has been providing future-oriented port management services offering one face to the customer. As an institution under public law, the HPA is in charge of paving the way for the efficient, resource-friendly and sustainable implementation of infrastructure projects in the port. The HPA is the contact point for all kinds of questions concerning the waterside and landside infrastructure, the navigational safety of vessel traffic, port railway facilities, port property management and the economic conditions within the port area. The HPA ensures the provision of land as required, carries out all statutory duties placed on it and provides port industry services. www.hamburg-port-authority.de
Media contact
Alex Munro
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