Media releases
Nineteen recipients recognized with Blue Circle Awards for voluntary efforts to conserve energy and reduce emissions
This week, the Vancouver Fraser Port Authority awarded 19 marine carriers and terminal operators with a Blue Circle Award for their voluntary efforts to conserve energy and reduce air emissions in the Port of Vancouver.
Twelve shipping lines, two cruise lines, three coastal marine operators and two terminal operators were the recipients of the 9th 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. For the first time this year, the port authority recognized two Blue Circle Award winners under the Energy Action Initiative for achieving specific energy conservation targets.
“We have set out a vision to be the world’s most sustainable port – an achievement we cannot reach alone without the dedication to environmental leadership demonstrated by our industry partners,” said Robin Silvester, president and chief executive officer at the Vancouver Fraser Port Authority. “We are delighted to recognize 19 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 2017 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. Last year, the port authority added new incentive criteria to the EcoAction Program to include harbour dues rate discounts for quieter ships, making Canada the first country in the world with a marine noise reduction incentive.
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.
2017 Blue Circle Award recipients in EcoAction Program category:
- American President Lines (APL)
- BC Ferries
- CMA CGM
- Disney Cruise Line
- Evergreen Line
- G2 Ocean
- Hamburg Süd
- Hapag-Lloyd
- Hyundai Merchant Marine
- “K” Line
- Mediterranean Shipping Company
- Pacific Basin Shipping
- Princess Cruises
- Saam Smit Towage
- Seaspan ULC
- Westwood Shipping Lines
- Yang Ming
2017 Blue Circle Award recipients in Energy Action Initiative category:
- Cascadia Port Management Corporation
- Viterra Pacific Elevators
Blue Circle Award Highlights:
- Energy Action Initiative added to Blue Circle Award category for the first time this year.
- “K” Line, Princess Cruises and Westwood Shipping Lines have been awarded for each year since the inaugural awards in 2009.
- Hapag-Lloyd has been recognized eight times.
- Disney Cruise Line has received an award for every year it has homeported in Vancouver.
- CMA CGM, Hyundai Merchant Marine and Mediterranean Shipping Company have won this award for five consecutive years since 2013.
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 $200 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. Vessels 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
[email protected]
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