Canada’s greenest transportation sector is moving toward net-zero emissions by 2050
Over the last few years, ship operators on the Great Lakes have invested over $2 billion for new eco-friendly ships.
We want to work with government to put funding towards lasting climate change solutions rather than reactive emergency relief.
Key stakeholders in Canada’s inland shipping industry are looking to establish a green transportation corridor in the Great Lakes-st. Lawrence region as part of ongoing efforts to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions to net zero by 2050.
The corridor would integrate new energy-efficient ships, alternative fuel sources, digital processes and other infrastructure improvements to further reduce the already tiny carbon footprint of an industry that is said to be the greenest mode of transport in North America.
“There is lots of progress, but we want to do more,” said Bruce Burrows, president and CEO of the Chamber of Marine Commerce (CMC).
“Net-zero is a huge challenge. We have to do more R&D [research and development] and more experimenting,” he said. “We want to work with government to put funding towards lasting climate change solutions rather than reactive emergency relief.”
As a whole, the transportation industry in Canada makes up 30 per cent of the country’s GHG emissions, said Burrows. But the bulk of that figure is attributed to road, rail and air transport; the marine industry accounts for only about two per cent.
“For every ship, we could take almost 1,000 trucks off the road,”
– Bruce Burrows, President and CEO, Chamber of Marine Commerce
said Burrows. “From a [road] decongestion perspective, that’s a tremendous benefit.
“And from an emissions perspective, that would be reducing greenhouse gas emissions by roughly 800 tonnes for a typical movement.”
Over the last few years, Canadian ship operators on the Great Lakes have invested over $2 billion to acquire new ecofriendly ships that are up to 40 per cent on average more energy efficient than the previous generation, said Burrows.
Some operators are also experimenting with low-carbon fuels, including second-generation biodiesel made from agricultural waste products, and liquefied natural gas. Researchers are also exploring hydrogen and ammonia as future sources of power.
“There’s a real benefit to putting this green shipping corridor together,” said Burrows “It’s not going to be an easy process.
There’s going to be a lot to do. But we can start — get going — and showcase and expand on what already is being done.”
On the Great Lakes, ports are modernizing their own operations, while also making system-wide changes that can make a more transformative impact.
The Hamilton-oshawa Port Authority (HOPA) in southern Ontario generates about 580,000 kilowatt hours of electricity per year through solar panels mounted on its buildings, and is in the process of converting its land vehicle fleet to electric.
This includes electric forklifts, and energy-efficient LED lighting in its warehouse space which saves nearly 2 million kwh per year. HOPA also operates a peak power cogeneration unit, which services tenants’ sugar refining and beer brewing operations.
“Every little bit helps,” said Ian Hamilton, president & CEO of HOPA. “But when we can make system-wide change, that’s where we can have our greatest impact.”
Among these game-changing initiatives is an effort to position the Great Lakes-st. Lawrence as a greener alternative to long-haul trucking for moving goods. The province of Ontario, for example, which is bordered by four of the five Great Lakes and has 3,840 km of shoreline, could expand the use of socalled “short-sea” shipping.
“Southern Ontario has one of the most congested road networks in North America, so by taking better advantage of marine shipping, we can actually
create a win-win for consumers: reducing supply chain costs, while cutting greenhouse gas emissions at the same time.”
The Great Lakes-st. Lawrence is a 3,700-kilometre marine highway, connecting the North American heartland to the rest of the world through an integrated network of multimodal transportation infrastructure, including the locks of the St. Lawrence Seaway.
About 164 million tonnes of cargo move on the entire waterway each year, but the system
can accommodate 50 per cent more volume, said Terence Bowles, president and CEO of the St. Lawrence Seaway Management Corporation (SLSMC).
“It’s a very modern and vital waterway, using current cutting-edge and sustainable technology that helps green the transportation of cargo throughout North America and to overseas markets,” he said.
Innovations like hands-free mooring have reduced transit times on the St. Lawrence Seaway, and a zero-carbon, hydroelectric plant on the Welland Canal powers locks, bridges and other infrastructure. As a result, the SLSMC has reduced the carbon emissions from its operations by 69% since 2005, well ahead of Canada’s 2030 targets, said Bowles.
As scientists continue to highlight an urgent need to reduce carbon emissions, the marine shipping industry in Canada is eager to do its part.
“It’s no surprise that we think green,” said Bruce Burrows, CEO of the Chamber of Marine Commerce. “It’s just the way we do our business.”