Port of Québec advances Berth 30 shore power

The Port of Québec has announced that it is advancing a 16-megawatt shore power project at Berth 30.

Port of Québec advances Berth 30 shore power

Scheduled to enter operation in 2028, the system will enable compatible cruise ships to connect directly to Québec’s hydroelectric grid while in port, reducing the need to operate auxiliary engines during calls.

The technology is expected to lower greenhouse gas emissions, local air pollution and noise.

The shore power installation forms part of a nearly $70 million investment in Berth 30 and associated cruise infrastructure, supporting the port’s wider infrastructure and sustainability strategy.

Marie-Andrée Blanchet, Director Cruise and International Development at the Port of Québec, said: “Our cruise line partners have been very clear about what they need from the ports of the future: reliable infrastructure, meaningful emissions-reduction solutions, and destinations that understand the operational and sustainability pressures they are navigating.

“We listened, and we answered. Shore power at Berth 30 is a direct response to those needs, and it reflects our commitment to supporting our partners, our city, our community, and the future of responsible cruise tourism on the Saint Lawrence.”

According to the Port of Québec, the project is expected to reduce greenhouse gas emissions at berth by up to 90 per cent, avoiding around 70,000 tonnes of emissions over its lifetime.

It is also expected to help cruise operators improve environmental performance and support compliance with the Carbon Intensity Indicator (CII).