The ongoing COP26 global conference on climate change in Glasgow has floated at least one (potentially) transformational industry plan. On Thursday, the Montreal Port Authority announced that the Port of Montreal–Canada’s largest East Coast marine port–and the Port of Antwerp have signed an agreement to jointly create the first North Atlantic green shipping corridor.
Under this agreement–which builds on an existing sustainable development partnership between the ports that began in 2013–the partners have pledged to mobilize their respective public- and private-sector partners alike in the assessment, identification, development and adoption of shared or complementary solutions and infrastructures.
The two ports say they will also facilitate the trade of green fuels, and the supply of renewable fuels and clean technologies to vessels. Additionally, the partners will support direct and indirect electrification of the shipping industry, specifically through green hydrogen, green ethanol and green methanol, along with biofuels such as biodiesel and renewable natural gas.
“The St. Lawrence port and marine ecosystem is well positioned to use, distribute and export renewable fuels such as hydrogen and methanol produced using Quebec hydropower,” said Montreal Port Authority President and CEO Martin Imbleau. “Our green energies can serve vessels and international markets alike. This agreement makes it possible for us to build on our respective strengths to decarbonize not only our industry, but also our respective economies.”
“Along with local and international partners, the Port of Antwerp is leading the transition to a cleaner, more climate-friendly world based on renewable and circular energy,” added Antwerp Port Authority CEO Jacques Vandermeiren. “The Port of Antwerp is one of the largest bunkering ports in the world. As such, the Port of Antwerp wants to play a pioneering role in the integration of carbon-neutral fuels in the bunkering market. In this way, together with the Port of Montreal, we are working on the transition to a multi-fuel port, with renewable fuels that are better for the climate and the quality of the air.”
Both ports are among the 200-plus signatories of the Call to Action for Shipping Decarbonization, launched by the Getting to Zero Coalition in partnership with the Global Maritime Forum, World Economic Forum and Friends of Ocean Action, with the aim of decarbonizing international shipping by 2050. The Montreal Port Authority joined the initiative late last month.
“The Canadian marine industry can and must take the lead in decarbonizing the transportation industry. Building on the fact that Quebec and Greater Montreal are uniquely positioned to develop green energy solutions, the Port of Montreal has already begun its energy transition to decarbonize its activities. We pledge to stay the course to achieve our goal of carbon neutrality by 2050 and adopt exemplary energy management in our supply chain,” Montreal’s Imbleau said upon signing the pledge.
