Ontario Construction News staff writer
The Hamilton Oshawa Port Authority (HOPA Ports) is celebrating the announcement of two major projects supported by Transport Canada’s Green Shipping Corridors Fund, marking a significant step forward for sustainable marine transportation on the Great Lakes.
The first project is the development of a Port Colborne Marine Biofuel Terminal, a new 12-acre facility that will produce and distribute up to 70 million litres of biodiesel annually. At full capacity, the terminal will fuel more than 100 vessels each year. The $33 million project, backed by $13.8 million in federal funding, is a collaboration between HOPA Ports, Canada Clean Fuels, and Canada Steamship Lines.
“This project builds on the success of our Thorold Multimodal Hub and underscores our commitment to revitalizing industrial lands to maximize their potential,” said HOPA Ports President and CEO Ian Hamilton.
The facility is expected to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by approximately 144,000 tonnes by 2030 and 2.8 million tonnes over its lifetime.
Also, Sterling Fuels received funding for a $4 million expansion at the Port of Hamilton.
The project, supported by $2 million from the Green Shipping Corridors Program, will add two storage tanks and enhance biofuel distribution infrastructure at the site. The expanded capacity will meet growing demand for biofuels in the marine sector.
“As we confront the impacts of climate change, projects like this are key to building a more sustainable, greener economy,” said Chris Bittle, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Housing, Infrastructure and Communities.
These projects are part of a broader effort to reduce emissions across Canada’s transportation sector. According to Hamilton, ships already represent one of the most energy-efficient ways to move cargo, but the biofuel facilities will further reduce the carbon footprint of marine transportation. “These new facilities will set new standards for sustainable shipping on the Great Lakes,” he said.
The Green Shipping Corridors Fund is designed to support projects that contribute to Canada’s goal of achieving a net-zero emissions economy. The Port Colborne biofuel terminal and the Sterling Fuels expansion are prime examples of how public-private partnerships can help drive Canada’s green transition in the maritime industry.