Attendance at the recent Vancouver Shipping Luncheon – February 27 at the Terminal City Club – drew a record crowd. Speakers included Mr. Vaughan Bassett, Senior Vice President, Sales & Logistics, Pinnacle Renewable Energy Inc., and Mr. Paul Hexter, President, Waterfront Shipping who both provided very useful background information as well as updates on company activities. Mr. Bassett highlighted the many benefits of using wood pellets as a sustainable, low-emission alternative to coal, while Mr. Hexter described the benefits of using methanol as an alternative fuel for shipping, noting that it burns at half the energy level of conventional marine gas oil and, while requiring greater storage capacity, is a feasible alternative fuel for shipping that is biodegradable, water soluble and environmentally friendly as well as cost-effective. Mr. Alistair Johnson of the Tig Rig Retro Fit Sail System, provided a brief overview of the system which provides a way to retrofit sails to the world’s existing flat-deck merchant ships, tankers and bulk carriers, resulting in an average fuel savings of eight per cent.
The next luncheon will be scheduled at the end of April.
