The Vancouver Fraser Port Authority has announced the recipients of this year's Blue Circle Awards, recognizing environmental leadership among port operators and customers. Almost 30 terminals, tenants, marine operators, and cruise and shipping lines were honored for their contributions to moving trade more sustainably while protecting the environment.
Recognizing Environmental Stewardship
The annual Blue Circle Awards celebrate Port of Vancouver terminals, tenants, marine operators, and cruise and shipping lines for their efforts to reduce air emissions, lower underwater noise, and conserve energy. Reducing underwater noise from ships is a key initiative to help protect at-risk whales in local waters.
Peter Xotta, President and CEO of the Vancouver Fraser Port Authority, stated: "Those operating at the Port of Vancouver are showing that growing trade and environmental leadership can go hand in hand. Our Blue Circle Awards recognize port partners who are embracing environmentally responsible trade and driving real progress. The work the port community is pioneering today to move more goods and people in a more sustainable way will benefit us all for generations to come."
2026 Award Categories
This year's awards include recognition for 12 terminals and tenants that have conserved energy and reduced greenhouse gas emissions through initiatives such as electrifying terminal equipment, switching vehicles to electric vehicles, and replacing lights with lower-energy LEDs. Additionally, 10 cruise and shipping lines and five coastal marine operators were recognized for measures to reduce emissions and underwater noise, including connecting to shore power, using alternative fuels and technologies like wind propulsion and battery-electric power, or installing propeller technologies that reduce underwater noise.
Special Mentions
Two organizations received Special Mentions for demonstrating early adoption of innovative actions or technologies:
- BC Ferries was recognized for adopting a propulsion system that reduces underwater-radiated noise at slow speeds as part of its fleet replacement work.
- Princess Cruises was recognized for collaborating with the port authority to measure the underwater-radiated noise reduction benefits of a new air lubrication system its ships have adopted to reduce air emissions and improve fuel efficiency.
Programs Driving Change
The Blue Circle Awards, launched in 2009, recognize Port of Vancouver operators and customers with the highest participation in the port authority's EcoAction and Energy Action programs. The EcoAction Program rewards shipping and cruise lines and marine operators for taking measures to reduce their environmental footprint. Almost one-third of eligible calls to the Port of Vancouver qualify each year and receive harbour dues discounts for measures that reduce greenhouse gas and air contaminant emissions, and underwater noise.
The Energy Action Program, run in partnership with BC Hydro, helps terminal operators and port tenants advance energy management projects. This includes supporting work to switch equipment from fossil fuels to electric, generating on-site renewable electricity, and better managing facility electrical load using battery storage systems. To date, the program has helped implement more than 100 energy management projects across port lands, saving more than 144 gigawatt-hours of electrical energy—enough to power more than 16,600 homes for a year.
