HOPA & REV LNG usher in LNG bunkering at Port of Hamilton, a first on the Great Lakes

December 10, 2020

Hamilton, ON – Yesterday, for the first time ever on the Great Lakes, a marine vessel refueled with liquefied natural gas (LNG). Carrying a load of asphalt, the MV Damia Desgagnés docked at the Port of Hamilton’s Pier 22 to refuel before departing for Detroit. As a result of a new partnership between the Hamilton-Oshawa Port Authority and REV LNG, marine vessels will now be able to refuel with liquefied natural gas during any stopover at Hamilton Port. This is a major milestone in the energy evolution of the Great Lakes marine shipping industry, which is looking for new ways to reduce GHGs and advance environmental goals.

“As a founding member of the Green Marine program, we are always looking for new ways to support improved environmental performance. This offering to our shipping customers will keep HOPA at the forefront,” said Hamilton-Oshawa Port Authority CEO Ian Hamilton. “We look forward to continuing to find new ways to support improving air quality, reducing GHGs, and working collaboratively with Canadian and U.S. marine and energy sector partners to help accelerate the adoption of LNG, and spur further fuel innovations. It also aligns with HOPA’s goal to be carbon neutral by 2025.”

LNG is a cleaner alternative to conventional oil-based bunker fuel, which can achieve GHG reductions in the entire well-to-wake lifecycle by up to 21 per cent [Life Cycle GHG Emission Study on the Use of LNG as Marine Fuel, Sphera for SEA-LNG 2019]. It also improves air quality by eliminating 100 per cent of sulfur (SOX), 90 per cent of NOX and all particulate matter.

REV LNG, a Pennsylvania-based liquefied natural gas services provider, presided over the commercial and technical development of the project, LNG transportation and all shore-side operations. “We expect this will signal the beginning of LNG bunkering in a key marine market, and REV’s special coordination and attention to safety will keep customers coming back,” said Dave Kailbourne, CEO of REV LNG.

Pivotal LNG, a leading provider of LNG marine fuel In the U.S., supported the project with its expertise and LNG supply from the recently operational Towanda Liquefaction and Storage Facility, located in Bradford County, Pennsylvania. The facility is owned and operated by an affiliate of Pivotal LNG in partnership with REV LNG. “We couldn’t be happier to see that the brand-new facility in Towanda is already proving its value in the region,” said Roger Williams, Vice-President of Commercial LNG and Gas Development at BHE GT&S, the parent company of Pivotal LNG. “LNG holds great promise for supporting the emissions reduction goals of the shipping industry and with Towanda’s proximity to the Great Lakes, we look forward to being part of that cleaner energy future.”

In 2020, the International Maritime Organization (IMO) set out new targets for marine fleets to cut GHG emissions (or carbon intensity per ton of cargo moved) by 40 per cent by 2030, and by 70 per cent by 2050. Shipping is a backbone of the global economy, and 90 per cent of world trade travels via ship on waterways across the globe.

The Great Lakes – St. Lawrence Seaway system is an important part of this international network. Although LNG supply chains are still relatively new in the Great Lakes, demand for LNG is growing as shipowners work to meet or exceed national climate targets for GHG reduction and improved air quality, in addition to those set by the IMO. Based in Quebec City, Desgagnés has been one of the early Canadian adopters, investing heavily in R&D and innovation across its fleet to reduce emissions. “Our LNG fueled fleet has now expanded to five Canadian flagged tankers all operating in the Great Lakes, St. Lawrence Seaway system, Eastern Canada and U.S. as well as the Canadian Arctic,” said Jacques Beauchamp, President, Petro-Nav Inc. (a subsidiary of Desgagnés). “We are proud to be leaders in energy efficient, low emission, low carbon marine transportation. We are especially excited to participate with the Port of Hamilton and Rev LNG in this first marine LNG bunkering location in the Great lakes.”

Currently, the only LNG capacity at ports in Canada exists along the west coast in BC and the St Lawrence River in Montreal and Quebec City. LNG is recognized as an immediately viable and cost-effective alternative, or transition fuel, alongside longer-term technologies like electrification, biofuels and other renewables. “As the most carbon efficient mode of transport, marine shipping has an important part to play in the battle against climate change,” says Bruce Burrows, President and CEO of the Chamber of Marine Commerce. “Canadian ship operators have spent more than $2 billion in recent years on new ships as well as adopting technologies and alternative fuels to decrease their environmental footprint further. LNG is part of the mix of solutions and having an expanded supply network will be key to its further adoption.”

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Helpful resources

https://www.marinedelivers.com/2020/04/canadian-ships-on-track-to-meet-ghg-reduction-targets/

https://sphera.com/reports/life-cycle-ghg-emission-study-on-the-use-of-lng-as-marine-fuel/

https://wwwcdn.imo.org/localresources/en/MediaCentre/HotTopics/Documents/IMO%20ACTION%20TO%20REDUCE%20GHG%20EMISSIONS%20FROM%20INTERNATIONAL%20SHIPPING.pdf

About HOPA Ports
As an integrated port network, the Hamilton Oshawa Port Authority (HOPA Ports) offers innovative port and marine assets on the Great Lakes. They are developing multimodal spaces to support Ontario’s industries and facilitate trade. By investing in high-quality infrastructure and prioritizing sustainability, HOPA is building prosperous working waterfronts in Ontario communities.
To learn more, visit: www.hopaports.ca

REV LNG, LLC
REV LNG, LLC (“REV”) is a full-service supplier of Liquified Natural Gas (LNG), Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) and Renewable Natural Gas (RNG) based in Ulysses, Pennsylvania.  Since the company’s inception in 2013, REV has emerged as a leading provider of mobile gas solutions including transportation logistics, marine, mobile fuel solutions and project development.  Having safely sourced and delivered thousands of LNG loads to a variety of markets including Public Utilities, Renewable Gas projects, Exploration and Production Companies, REV is focused on providing best in class turn key mobile energy service with a focus on safety and environmental stewardship. REV LNG is a minority stakeholder of NiCHe LNG, which owns and operates the Towanda Facility in Bradford County, Pennsylvania.

The company has been recognized for its commitment to utilizing clean fuels by the State of Pennsylvania by receiving the Governor’s Award as well as the Penn State Marcellus Center Innovation Award. REV has also received grants from the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection for utilizing LNG in its trucking fleet.

Visit www.revlng.com for more information on REV LNG.

Pivotal LNG, Inc.
Pivotal LNG, Inc. (“Pivotal LNG’) is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Berkshire Hathaway Energy Gas Transmission and Storage (BHE GTS) with more than forty years of experience providing clean, alternative energy solutions to industries throughout the United States – from power generation and manufacturing to marine transportation and heavy-duty trucking. With liquefied natural gas production, transportation and delivery capabilities, the company offers a number of reliable, flexible, and cost-effective solutions. Pivotal LNG owns and operates the Trussville LNG facility in Alabama and has 50% ownership of the JAX LNG facility in Florida. Pivotal LNG’s affiliate, NiCHe LNG, owns and operates the Towanda Facility in Bradford County, Pennsylvania. Visit pivotallng.com for more information on Pivotal LNG or https://www.niche-llc.com for more information on the Towanda Facility.

Media Contact:
Emily Paivalainen
Communications & Community Relations Coordinator
HOPA Ports
[email protected]
289-659-8225

U.S. Media Contact:
Ann Nallo
Communications Consultant
BHE GT&S
[email protected]
804-314-7612

Photos:

Accounts Payable Analyst

The Hamilton-Oshawa Port Authority (HOPA Ports) is seeking a detail-oriented, organized and proactive individual to join our Finance team. This is an exciting opportunity for

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Renee Bulger, CPA, CGA

Vice President, Finance

Renee assumed the role of Vice President, Finance after having served as Director of Finance since 2023.

Renee joined the Hamilton Port Authority in 2006 as a General Accountant and was promoted to Controller in 2018. She was previously a member of the Board of Directors for the Hamilton Conservation Foundation from 2017 to 2020.

Renee received her Honours Bachelor of Commerce from Laurentian University and is a Chartered Professional Accountant.

Larissa Fenn

Vice President, Corporate Affairs

Larissa Fenn is Vice President, Corporate Affairs at HOPA Ports, leading a team responsible for communications and government relations, sustainability reporting, corporate governance and corporate culture.

Previous positions included communications and public policy roles at the Canadian Bankers Association, Credit Valley Conservation Authority, and the Regional Municipality of Halton.

Larissa holds a B.A.(Hons) in Political Science from Queen’s University. She holds the APR designation from the Canadian Public Relations Society, and completed the Senior Public Sector Leaders program at the University of Western Ontario, Ivey School of Business. Larissa has served as Vice Chair of the Board of Directors of the Royal Botanical Gardens, and as a member of the Policy Council of the Hamilton Chamber of Commerce.

Bill Fitzgerald

Vice President, Strategic Development

Bill assumed the role of Vice President, Strategic Development in 2024, after having served as HOPA’s Vice President, Operations since 2008.

Bill joined the Hamilton-Oshawa Port Authority in July 1995 as Project Engineer. He previously worked with the Regional Municipality of Ottawa’s Transportation Department, as well as for the Toronto Transit Commission and the City of Waterloo.

Bill received a Bachelor of Applied Science, civil engineering / water resources, in 1995 from the University of Waterloo and registered with the Professional Engineers of Ontario in 1997.

Jeremy Dunn

Vice President, Operations

Jeremy assumed the role of Vice President, Operations in 2024 after having served as HOPA’s Commercial Vice President since 2019. Prior to joining HOPA, Jeremy served in successive leadership roles at The Miller Group, one of Canada’s leading transportation construction and infrastructure maintenance companies. Jeremy has managed multiple business groups in the heavy construction, asphalt paving and aggregates sectors driving results through business restructuring, service improvement and strategic growth. In his most recent role, Jeremy served as General Manager of Miller Maintenance, responsible for managing and growing Miller’s highway maintenance business in Ontario.

Previous to The Miller Group, Jeremy held the position of Director of Operations for the Dunn Group of Companies.

Jeremy earned his Bachelor of Commerce (Honours) through Queen’s University. He also holds a Master’s Certificate in Project Management.

Janet Knight

Executive Vice President & Chief Financial Officer

Chief Financial Officer for the Hamilton-Oshawa Port Authority since 2008, Janet joined the HPA in 1998 as Accounting Supervisor and subsequently served as Controller.

Prior to joining the HPA, Janet held the position of Financial Analyst with St. Joseph’s Hospital, as well as various positions, including Marketing Communications/Research Lead with Zeneca Agro. Janet graduated from McMaster University in 1986 with a Bachelor of Commerce. She attained the professional designation of Certified Management Accountant in 1992.

Ian Hamilton

President & CEO

Ian Hamilton is President & CEO of HOPA Ports (Hamilton-Oshawa Port Authority). He assumed this role in 2017, after serving as the Port Authority’s Vice President of Business Development and Real Estate since 2008. Ian has been instrumental in developing working waterfronts in Hamilton, Oshawa, and Niagara by attracting new business and private investment, and creating an integrated marine network across Southern Ontario.

Ian possesses more than 25 years of experience in international transportation and logistics in Europe and North America, and has held progressively senior positions in the liner shipping industry, including Transatlantic Trade Director (Europe) for CP Ships and Business Development Manager for Hapag-Lloyd. Ian is Chairperson of the Association of Canadian Port Authorities, and holds positions on various other boards, including: the Chamber of Marine Commerce, the Hamilton Club, and Brigs Youth Sail Training.

Ian holds an MBA from Aston University (UK) and a BSc in business administration and economics from the College of Charleston, South Carolina.