VANCOUVER: Port Metro Vancouver has announced 11 recipients of its Blue Circle Award for 2010. Launched last year, the award recognizes the most eco-friendly vessels that call at the port. The award acknowledges industry commitment to port sustainability by recognizing the environmental achievements of ships that participate in Port Metro Vancouver’s EcoAction Program for Shipping. The program offers a financial incentive for cruise and shipping lines to reduce ship emissions.
The 2010 Port Metro Vancouver Blue Circle Award recipients are:
APL (Canada)
Grieg Star Shipping (Canada) Ltd.
Hapag-Lloyd (Canada) Inc.
Holland America Line
“K” Line
Maersk Line
Princess Cruises
Regent Seven Seas Cruises
Seaboard International Shipping Co. Ltd.
Silversea Cruises
Westwood Shipping Lines
“Port Metro Vancouver continues to make sustainability a top priority,” said Robin Silvester, president and CEO of the port. “Our EcoAction Program provides an important financial incentive that encourages cleaner ships to our gateway. We are pleased to honour those who achieve excellence in reducing air emissions with our Blue Circle Award. ”
Port Metro Vancouver’s emissions reduction programs were awarded the Globe 2010 ecoFreight Award for sustainable transportation and nominated for the International Sustainable Shipping Award. Port Metro Vancouver anticipates a 40 percent increase in shore power-enabled ships during the 2011 cruise season.
The Blue Circle Awards honour gold, silver or bronze ratings based on efforts to reduce air emissions, depending on the quality of fuel used and overall emission reductions. Vessel operators can apply for the program at each call or provide an annual declaration for their vessels.
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