The Canadian government has allocated $14.3 million towards eco-friendly maritime initiatives in Prince Edward Island (P.E.I.), with a focus on enabling ships to connect to the island’s power system. This initiative will allow vessels at Port Charlottetown to link directly to the local electrical grid while in port, enabling them to switch off their engines while still providing power to onboard facilities.
Funding for this project comes from the Green Shipping Corridor Program, an initiative by the federal government aimed at establishing emission-free shipping routes between multiple ports. Federal Transportation Minister Steven MacKinnon highlighted the positive impact on P.E.I.’s tourism sector, emphasizing the attractiveness of such sustainable infrastructure to cruise lines seeking to reduce their environmental footprint.
The program aligns with broader international efforts, with Canada and 26 other nations signing the Clydebank Declaration in 2021 to create six green corridors by mid-decade. Subsequently, G7 members increased the target to 14 corridors. The Green Shipping Corridor Program, established by Canada in 2023, has earmarked $149.7 million over five years for clean port infrastructure and vessel testing.
Mike Cochrane, CEO of Port Charlottetown, expressed gratitude for the funding, highlighting its role in advancing the cruise industry’s goal of achieving net-zero emissions by 2050. He noted that senior executives from cruise lines have expressed interest in utilizing shore power if made available at Charlottetown, emphasizing the benefits of upgrading infrastructure for both the port and Maritime Electric.
Maritime Electric confirmed that the shore power implementation will not strain the province’s power grid, as peak capacity demands typically occur during non-cruise seasons. The project aims to be operational by fall 2029, with plans for construction to commence within the next six to nine months.