Environment: Metro Vancouver

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Port Metro Vancouver Blue Circle Award Recognizes Highest-Achieving EcoAction Program Participants

Port Metro Vancouver recently announced the award of 13 shipping and three cruise lines with a Blue Circle Award for 2013. The Blue Circle Award recognizes and rewards vessel operators for their environmental choices, by honoring 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 percent on harbor 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 neighbors," said Robin Silvester, president and chief executive officer, Port Metro Vancouver. "The Blue Circle Awards allow us to honor shipping lines for their environmental stewardship and commitment to cleaner air. I congratulate the 2013 award recipients."

In 2010, Port Metro Vancouver launched the Blue Circle Award for the EcoAction Program for Shipping, a user-friendly financial incentive for shipping lines that reduce emissions of their ocean-going vessels.

Under the EcoAction Program, vessels that qualify will be eligible to receive the newly established Blue Circle Award, a recognition reserved for only the highest emissions reduction achievements.

The Blue Circle Awards honor gold, silver or bronze ratings based on efforts to reduce air emissions, depending on the quality of fuel used and overall emission reductions. Vessel operators can apply for the program at each call or provide an annual declaration for their vessels.

The current recipients of the award are:

• APL (Canada)
• Grieg Star Shipping (Canada) Ltd.
• Hapag-Lloyd (Canada) Inc.
• Holland America Line
• "K" Line
• Maersk Line
• Princess Cruises
• Silversea Cruises
• Westwood Shipping Lines