Sharing our Sustainability Progress in New Report

October 18, 2024

At the Halifax Port Authority (HPA), sustainability is built into every facet of the Port and how we operate.

“As we note in the report, sustainability is dynamic, requiring adaptability and continuous improvement,” says Sara Colburne, Vice-President, Strategy & Transformation. “Moving forward, we will continue to identify innovative and practical actions and projects to meet today’s needs while considering the future.”

Among recent activities at the Halifax Port Authority are the following steps and achievements, representing each of the World Ports Sustainability Program’s six themes that guide HPA’s Sustainability Strategy:

  • Health, Safety and Security - Safety is our top priority at the Halifax Port Authority. In 2023, six employees were recognized for their contributions to integrate safety into daily practices or proactively mitigate hazardous conditions.
  • Climate and Energy - Annual incentive rebate payments in the Environmental Shipping Index (ESI) program for containerized cargo vessels, auto carriers, and RoRo activity support supply chain decarbonization. 40% of scheduled service vessels were registered in the ESI program in 2022, growing to 58% in 2023 (as of June 2024).
  • Digitalization - Helps deliver a cost-competitive, transparent, and efficient supply chain. The Halifax Port Authority was recognized at the International Association of Ports and Harbours 2023 Sustainability Awards in the “Digitalization” category for Data Enhancement Framework 2 (DEF2) project to measure and track carbon intensity from cargo handling and Port operations.
  • Infrastructure - The Marine Container Examination Facility has achieved an Envision score of 26% above industry standards to classify the project as “Verified” under the Institute for Sustainable Infrastructure rating system.
  • Environmental Care - HPA manufactures and deploys artificial reefs for aquatic ecosystem habitat compensation associated with pyritic slate sequestration. These reef balls resemble the function and structure of a natural reef. 100 reef balls were installed at Fairview Cove equating to approximately 18,000 m2 of marine habitat.
  • Community Building - The Port and the city thrive together. We commit to deepening relationships and fostering meaningful connections with all communities. HPA’s workforce development team was stood up in 2022 to help future-proof the Port’s workforce. In 2022-23, 151 students completed work-integrated learning experiences through HPA’s BHER program.

We track our progress on these topics and more in the 2022-2023 Sustainability Report. Our next Sustainability Report will publish in 2026 covering the years 2024-2025.

 

About the Port of Halifax

We are One Port City. Offering a natural, deep harbour and big ship infrastructure, Halifax can meet the needs of today’s shipping, cargo, and cruise operations, while building for the future with our focus on the three key pillars of community, economics, and environment. To learn more about Canada’s preferred gateway, visit www.porthalifax.ca.

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Contact:
Lori MacLean
Halifax Port Authority

(902) 209-7170
[email protected]