Earlier this month, the federal government committed more than $25 million to four projects that support both shore-power and alternative fuel solutions in the marine sector.

The funding, provided under the Green Shipping Corridor Program, will update current infrastructure; upgrade and construct fueling infrastructure to support greener fuel use; and conduct a study to explore the feasibility of establishing a new public port.

More than $13.8 million of the funding is being provided to build a 12-acre, 8-million-litre biofuel terminal in Port Colborne.

The $33-million project represents a partnership between HOPA Ports, Canada Clean Fuels, and Canada Steamship Lines. At full capacity, the facility will distribute up to 70 million litres of biodiesel annually, sufficient to fuel more than 100 vessels per year.

“Port Colborne’s strategic position allows for near year-round service, making it uniquely advantageous on the Great Lakes,” said Ian Hamilton, President & CEO of HOPA Ports. “This project builds on HOPA’s success at the Thorold Multimodal Hub and demonstrates our commitment to maximizing the potential of underutilized industrial lands along the Welland Canal.”

The project is expected to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by approximately 144,000 tonnes by 2030 and 2.8 million tonnes over the facility’s lifetime.

A further $4.9 million is bring provided to Sterling Fuels to modify existing infrastructure and build additional vessel fuelling facilities at the Port of Hamilton.

The project will add two tanks to Sterling Fuels’ existing Hamilton facility, as well as the associated pumps and piping to allow for Sterling Fuels to receive, store and deliver biofuels.

A further funding of just over $6 million is being provided to QSL to install shore power charging facilities to enable vessels to recharge their onboard batteries while docked, reducing reliance on auxiliary engines, and minimizing emissions.

Finally, funding of $405,000 is being provided to the City of Sault Ste. Marie for the Port of Algoma project. The funding will be used to conduct a study and related assessments regarding the possibility of creating a new public port.

The Green Shipping Corridor Program provides funding for projects that contribute to the establishment of green shipping corridors and the decarbonization of the marine sector along the Great Lakes, the St. Lawrence Seaway, as well as Canada’s East and West coasts.