The British Columbia government announced it is expanding the Integrated Marketplace initiative to the Port of Prince Rupert to reduce emissions and create economic opportunities through local innovation that will help create the greenest port in Canada.
As a key action in the StrongerBC Economic Plan, the Integrated Marketplace initiative matches local innovators with industry buyers to solve industry problems, while reducing their greenhouse gas emissions and creating more resilient supply chains.
“As we build a stronger, more resilient economy that supports a clean future, it is crucial for us to work hand in hand with industry to drive innovative solutions to global supply-chain challenges,” said Brenda Bailey, Minister of Jobs, Economic Development and Innovation. “That’s why we’re expanding our Integrated Marketplace initiative to Prince Rupert, where we will find new ways to help B.C. businesses and industry to be more competitive, and create more sustainable, high-quality jobs and opportunities for British Columbians.”
The Province, through Innovate BC, will work closely with industry partners and stakeholders in Prince Rupert to implement the Integrated Marketplace initiative to support sustainable economic growth.
This expansion is part of the Government of B.C.’s investment of as much as $11.5 million for the Integrated Marketplace. It was launched at Vancouver International Airport in December 2022 to help electrify its operations, meet its net-zero by 2030 commitment and become the world’s greenest airport.
With the expansion to Prince Rupert, the initiative will allow the port to source and test innovative technology solutions that reduce greenhouses gases, increase productivity and improve safety. This will create more opportunities for innovation, while optimizing the movement of imports and exports through the port.
“Sixty billion dollars worth of cargo flows through the Prince Rupert gateway each year and we are committed to advancing B.C.’s homegrown technology that reduces the environmental impacts of the port operations that enable that trade,” said Shaun Stevenson, president and CEO, Prince Rupert Port Authority. “Through this partnership, the Integrated Marketplace will help us build a safer, more resilient and sustainable port that can support British Columbia and Canada’s trade demands and ambitions well into the future.”
The Integrated Marketplace at the port will explore projects to support its emission-reduction programs and optimization of operations within the transportation system. Key areas it will focus on include:
- supply-chain capacity and resiliency through sharing data and process improvement;
- telematics and digitization of the port;
- electrification of equipment and alternative fuel options;
- improvement of port design and infrastructure; and
- reducing emissions from idling vehicles and equipment.
(Photo from PRPA)
