Toronto: PortsToronto, owner and operator of Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport, announced November 28 that the airport's Marilyn Bell I passenger/vehicle ferry will be converted to electric power, making it the first 100 per cent electric lithium-ion powered ferry in service in Canada. PortsToronto anticipates that the ferry's retrofit will be complete by the end of 2020.
The vessel's propulsion system will be fully powered by battery, charged entirely by Bullfrog Power’s renewable-sourced electricity. In addition to operating more efficiently and eliminating related air emissions, the retrofitted vessel will build on the airport's award-winning Noise Management Program, as it will operate far more quietly, dramatically reducing related noise in the surrounding community.
As part of PortsToronto's sustainability program, a phased approach to greening the airport's ferry operations began in 2018 when the Marilyn Bell I was converted from diesel to bio-fuel, which resulted in the reduction of approximately 20 tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions last year. The electric-powered ferry is expected to reduce greenhouse gas emissions associated with ferry operations by 530 tonnes, dramatically reducing the airport's carbon footprint and setting the organization on a clear path toward achieving PortsToronto's overall emissions target.
In compliance with PortsToronto's Sustainable Procurement Policy, three Canadian companies that share PortsToronto's vision for sustainable operations have been selected to collaborate on completing the ferry retrofit. As developers of the winning concept and proposal, St. Catharines-based leaders in marine electrical engineering Canal Marine & Industrial Inc. (CANAL) are the prime designers for this project. On board as the project naval architect is Concept Naval, Quebec-based naval architects and marine engineers. PortsToronto has also engaged Nova Scotia-based E.Y.E marine consultants to assist with the implementation of the project.