VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA--(Marketwired - May 29, 2014) - Port Metro Vancouver is proud to honour 13 shipping and 3 cruise lines with a Blue Circle Award for 2013. The Blue Circle Award recognizes and rewards vessel operators for their environmental choices, by honouring actions that reduce air emissions and celebrating environmental stewardship. As part of Port Metro Vancouver's EcoAction Program, shipping lines can benefit from a discount of up to 47% on harbour dues by choosing a variety of eligible fuels, technology options and environmental management practices.
"At Port Metro Vancouver we are committed to balancing growing demand for trade with the need to protect our environment and maintain the quality of life of our neighbours," said Robin Silvester, President and Chief Executive Officer, Port Metro Vancouver. "The Blue Circle Awards allow us to honour shipping lines for their environmental stewardship and commitment to cleaner air. I congratulate the 2013 award recipients."
The 2013 Port Metro Vancouver Blue Circle Award recipients are:
- APL (Canada)
- COSCO Canada Inc.
- CMA CGM (Canada) Inc.
- Disney Cruise Line
- Eukor Car Carriers Inc.
- Grieg Staf Shipping (Canada) Ltd.
- Hapag-Lloyd AG
- Holland America Line
- Hyundai Merchant Marine
- "K" Line
- Maersk Line
- Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, Ltd.
- Mediterranean Shipping Company (Canada) Inc.
- Orient Overseas Container Line Ltd.
- Princess Cruises
- Westwood Shipping Lines
This year for the first time Blue Circle Award winners are invited to apply the exclusive Port Metro Vancouver Blue Circle Award "Twibbon" to their social media profiles. This allows winners to easily share their success in emissions reduction and environmental stewardship with their fans and followers on social media.
Port Metro Vancouver's sustainability work is wide-ranging and award-winning. From shore power and the Northwest Ports Clean Air Strategy, to the Container Truck Licensing System and EcoAction, Port Metro Vancouver is establishing itself as a leader in port sustainability around the globe. This work is being increasingly recognized, including a recent endorsement by Sir Richard Branson's Carbon War Room.
About the Blue Circle Award:
Vessels that use low sulphur fuels or employ environmental preferable practices can apply to the EcoAction Program to receive a reduced Harbour Due rate. Vessels that qualify are eligible to receive the Blue Circle Award, a recognition reserved for the highest level of participation in the EcoAction Program.
About Port Metro Vancouver:
Port Metro Vancouver, is a non-shareholder, financially self-sufficient corporation established by the Government of Canada, pursuant to the Canada Marine Act, and is accountable to the elected federal Minister of Transport. Port Metro Vancouver is Canada's largest port and a leader in environmental stewardship. About $172 billion in goods is traded annually with more than 160 trading economies, generating across Canada an estimated 100,000 jobs, $6.1 billion in wages, and $9.7 billion in GDP. Port Metro Vancouver annual sustainability report provides an overview of our social, environmental and economic performance, and is independently assured by a third party. Port Metro Vancouver was the second port globally (behind Rotterdam) to produce a sustainability report meeting the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) G3.1 Sustainability Reporting Guidelines, B+ Application Level, and is the first port globally to become a member of the International Integrated Reporting Council, Integrated Reporting Framework Pilot Project.
For more information
Learn more about the Blue Circle Awards and Port Metro Vancouver's EcoAction Program.
Read Port Metro Vancouver's 2012 Sustainability Report.
Learn more about Richard Branson's endorsement of the EcoAction program, and other accolades of Port Metro Vancouver's sustainability initiatives.
Learn more about Port Metro Vancouver's Environmental Initiatives.
Contact Information:
Media & Government Affairs Advisor
604-665-9267
John.parker-jervis@portmetrovancouver.com