Vancouver marks first LNG cruise ship fuelling at Canada Place | Daily Hive

The LNG vessel of Seaspan Garibaldi fuelling the Silver Nova at the Canada Place cruise ship terminal in Vancouver on May 8, 2025. (Vancouver Fraser Port Authority)

In a step toward having a greener local cruise ship industry, the Port of Vancouver this week marked a milestone by fuelling a cruise ship with liquefied natural gas (LNG) for the first time in its history.

The bunkering operation — performed by Seaspan Energy’s dedicated LNG vessel Seaspan Garibaldi — prepares the cruise ship for its journey to Alaska.

This fuelled the 2023-built Silver Nova ship of Silversea Cruises, which is a smaller cruise ship with a tonnage of 54,700 GT, featuring nine decks and a capacity for 728 passengers and 556 crew.

Silver Nova is the first-ever hybrid luxury cruise ship, powered by a mix of LNG, fuel cells, and batteries, making it emissions free when in port.

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LNG is the first alternative fuel approved for local bunkering in significant volumes at the port, enabling deep-sea vessels to refuel with a cleaner option over traditional marine fuels. This landmark moment supports the Vancouver Fraser Port Authority’s broader strategy to drive decarbonization across the maritime sector.

“We all have a crucial role to play enabling the energy transition,” said Shri Madiwal, vice president of operations and supply chain for the Vancouver Fraser Port Authority, in a statement on Thursday.

“As a port authority, our focus is on putting the infrastructure and processes in place to ensure visiting ships can move beyond traditional marine fuels and embrace alternative fuels like LNG.”

The port is also looking ahead to potential future fuel alternatives such as ammonia and methanol, with LNG paving the way.

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The LNG vessel of Seaspan Garibaldi fuelling the Silver Nova at the Canada Place cruise ship terminal in Vancouver on May 8, 2025. (Vancouver Fraser Port Authority)

The switch from conventional fuels like heavy fuel oil and marine diesel to cleaner-burning LNG is a key component of global efforts to reduce maritime emissions. The move aligns with the International Maritime Organization’s goal for net-zero emissions from international shipping by 2050.

While limited quantities of biofuels have been available for years, LNG represents the first significant step toward mainstream alternative marine fuel use at the port. Seaspan Energy became the first accredited supplier of LNG at the Port of Vancouver last fall, and currently operates three ship-to-ship LNG bunkering vessels on the West Coast of North America. The company has already successfully completed several LNG bunkering operations for cargo vessels this year.

“We are proud to play a key role in advancing the shift to alternative marine fuels in North America’s fourth largest port,” said Harly Penner, president of Seaspan Energy. “This first LNG bunkering of a cruise ship at the port is a milestone we are excited to share with the Port of Vancouver, as it signals meaningful progress in the industry’s decarbonization efforts.”

Vancouver’s cruise sector continues to lead sustainability efforts, building on past successes like the introduction of shore power and participation in regional environmental initiatives.

Cruise ships calling at the Canada Place cruise ship terminal in downtown Vancouver also make extensive use of shore power, connecting to BC Hydro’s electrical grid to shut down onboard diesel engines while docked.

The 2025 cruise season is expected to see 301 ship calls, with each visit injecting an average of $3 million into the local economy. Following consecutive record breaking years in 2023 and 2024, the port authority is expecting over 1.2 million passengers for the 2025 season, which began in March and is scheduled to end in October.

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