Sustainable Development Practices for Cruises
For the Port of Québec, developing the cruise industry in a responsible and sustainable way is a priority. That’s why we’ve implemented a number of sustainable cruise development practices in recent years.
Our goal is to reduce GHGs and criteria air contaminants from cruise ships by at least 50% by 2030, which is conditional on acquiring provincial and federal government funding as well as the necessary electrical power.
Some examples of sustainable cruise development practices implemented by the Port of Québec
- Implementing a shore power project
- Working with cruise lines for a more sustainable industry
- Encouraging cruise passengers to explore different areas of the city to prevent overcrowding in central districts
- Ensuring local employment
- Creating beneficial experiences for residents and visitors alike by limiting the number of passengers the Port handles each day
- Promoting regional economic spin-offs
Actions anchored in the community
- Using the Je Participe platform to dialogue with the community
- Getting involved in citizen committees
- Creating an ambitious sustainable development plan
- Holding the Forum sur les croisières internationales de Québec
Shore power at the Port of Québec
The Port of Québec has begun the process of supplying electricity to cruise ships at wharves 21, 22, and 30 to limit noise pollution and, above all, greatly reduce flue gas emissions. Connecting ships to onshore power grids eliminates up to 90% of flue gas emissions during the ship’s stay in port.
A feasibility study and discussions with Hydro-Québec are underway. Quotes have also been requested for the equipment that shore power will require.
Forum sur les croisières internationales de Québec
Every year, the Port of Québec organizes the Forum sur les croisières internationales de Québec, an international cruise forum. It brings together over a hundred people from the tourism and port sectors, as well as citizen groups and community members. Participants meet for conferences and workshops, during which they come up with creative solutions to the future needs of the cruise industry. The forum aims to improve practices by prioritizing responsible, coordinated, and sustainable development of the destination.
The Port of Québec, a leader in sustainable cruise development practices
Since 2014, the Port has chosen to limit the number of passengers per day to 15,000 and to only allow two embarkation/disembarkation processes at the same time.
The Port also works with cruise lines before the season begins to spread traffic out as evenly as possible.
Finally, on busy days, the Port of Québec works with the special events coordination centre to manage traffic.
The Port of Québec is also a member of organizations that make sustainable development a key priority:
Sustainable development at the Port of Québec
Au Port de Québec, le développement durable est une priorité dans tous les secteurs, et pas seulement celui des croisières. Apprenez-en plus sur les objectifs de décarbonation du Port ou sur nos efforts d’amélioration de la qualité de l’air.
At the Port of Québec, sustainable development is a priority for all industries, not just the cruise industry. Learn more about the Port’s decarbonization objectives and our efforts to improve air quality.