Nearly 75% of cruise calls were shore power-enabled at the Port of Vancouver in 2023, compared to nearly 70% in 2022 and 50% in 2019.
According to the Canadian port, shore power has helped reduce port-related greenhouse gas emissions by more than 38,000 tonnes since being introduced in 2009.
Today (11 March) marks the arrival of the first cruise ship of the season, the Disney Wonder, kicking off what is expected to be another record season.
There are 329 cruise ship visits currently scheduled for the Canada Place cruise terminal between 11 March and 29 October – and Port of Vancouver says this could mean a record 1.27 million passengers would travel through the Canada Place cruise terminal in 2024, about 2% more than last year’s record.
‘We expect 2024 to be another strong season for the award-winning Canada Place cruise terminal, as we solidify Vancouver as a premier homeport servicing the popular Alaska market,’ said Mandy Chan, manager of cruise services at the Vancouver Fraser Port Authority, the federal agency mandated to enable Canada’s trade through the Port of Vancouver.
‘Cruise is an important part of Vancouver’s vibrant tourism sector that supports countless local hospitality and tourism businesses and jobs. We look forward to working alongside our cruise line and industry partners to ensure another successful season.’
Cruise ships deployed during the winter in other parts of the world return to the West Coast in March and April to prepare for the Alaska season. The Disney Wonder will today embark passengers heading to San Diego before coming back in May to start its weekly itinerary from Vancouver to Alaska.
‘A key focus right now is continuing to work in partnership on initiatives to protect our environment and it is great to see our cruise line partners eager to embrace programmes such as using shore power to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and slowing their ships while travelling through critical local habitat of at-risk whales…,’ said Chan.
‘The allure of an Alaska cruise is the natural beauty of the journey, and we know more can be done to create a sustainable cruise market while enabling its growth. We want to thank everyone for the collaborative progress made so far and look forward to continuing this important work in 2024.’
