Ships in port in Quebec City will be able to plug into electric dock power by 2027

Peter Black

peterblack@qctonline.com

Ships visiting the Port of Quebec will be able to plug into electrical systems on the docks, under a $55-million project announced last week.

With $22.5 million in funding from the federal government, electrical connection stations are to be installed on three cruise ship piers and two piers where merchant ships dock. The connections are expected to be in service as of 2027.

Federal Minister of Public Services and Procurement Jean-Yves Duclos and Port of Quebec CEO Mario Girard announced the dockside electrification project on Nov. 8.

The Port said it will continue negotiations with the Quebec government to secure the rest of the funding for the project. It’s a major initiative of the Port’s mission to reduce emissions from ships in the port territory by 40 per cent by 2035.

Emissions from ships in port account for more than 80 per cent of greenhouse gases generated by all activity in the port territory, according to the release.

The Port said it is adapting to a trend in the cruise ship industry whereby more than 80 per cent of passenger liners will soon be enabled to connect with electrical stations while docked in port.

In other Port of Quebec news, Girard, portmaster for the past 14 years, is heading for a new posting as delegate general for Quebec in Tokyo, Japan, as of February.

In a separate release, Girard said, “I feel a deep connection and admiration for the committed, dedicated and extremely competent people that made up the Port of Québec staff. I am proud of what we have accomplished.”