Compass Marine Services (Compass Marine) is an ISO 9001-2008 certified shipping agency, providing top-quality services for vessels engaged in bulk, break bulk and container cargo trades with Canada. Ideadlly situated in Vancouver, British Columbia, the company has earned an international reputation for its seamless handling of vessel and cargo agency on both Canadian coasts.

Cruise Ships Plug into Hydropower

03 September, 2009 by admin

VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Canada 9/2/09 (PennWell) – Cruise ships docking at the Port of Vancouver are turning off their diesel-powered engines and tapping into hydropower generated by utility British Columbia Hydro.

Princess Cruises has spent $7 million to equip its ships with new technology allowing them to plug into an onshore transformer at the Canadian port. It’s a first for Canada and only the third of its kind in the world.

The clean onshore power source will be used to carry out the ships’ services and will reduce emissions from the diesel engines of cruise ships in downtown Vancouver, said Charlie Ball, president of Princess Tours.

“We know that local air-quality issues are important to the community, and we’re proud to join with all those involved in realizing this important environmental initiative,” Ball said.

The onshore innovation is essentially a large plug and socket that channels power from a landside transformer to the ship via a three-and-a-half-inch cable.

Source: www.hydronews.com