Building on Look West commitments, three dual-use technology businesses are testing new tools that can support Canada’s defence priorities while helping cut emissions, improve safety and support jobs in northern communities.
“B.C. is supporting domestic companies to test dual-use technologies that make our ports safer, cleaner and more competitive while strengthening Canada’s sovereignty and defence capabilities,” said Ravi Kahlon, Minister of Jobs and Economic Growth, in a news release. “These new data tools will reduce emissions and promote clean transportation, critical goals for our environment and communities, while delivering safer port operations using made-in-B.C. technology. This initiative is part of our Look West plan to deliver jobs and opportunities while building a more independent economy.”
Supported by the Integrated Marketplaces initiative, delivered by Innovate BC, Nuport Robotics, Open Ocean Robotics and Hydra Energy are testing their technologies at the Port of Prince Rupert. Combined, the projects are worth more than $1.7 million.
Reducing emissions with smarter trucking technology
Nuport Robotics is leading a $306,000 project that will install a data-acquisition system on a short-haul truck at the port. The system will:
* help reduce greenhouse-gas emissions
* de-risk deployment of the technology
* give port users better data to improve productivity, competitiveness
Improving port safety with zero-emission ocean monitoring
The port of Prince Rupert will test Open Ocean Robotics’ DataXplorer Gen 2 uncrewed surface vessel (USV) in a $409,000 project. This autonomous zero-emission vessel will:
* improve safety by monitoring conditions without putting people on the water
* operate more sustainably than traditional vessels
* collect and manage ocean and marine data for port users
“The Prince Rupert Port Authority Testbed provides a valuable real-world environment to demonstrate how persistent, uncrewed surface vehicles can support safer, more sustainable port and coastal operations,” said Julie Angus, co-founder and CEO, Open Ocean Robotics. “Through Innovate BC’s Integrated Marketplace, we are able to validate our technology alongside public-sector partners, accelerating the adoption of low-emission, ocean-monitoring solutions in ports.”
Lowering emissions with hydrogen, low- and zero-emission vehicles
A $1-million project led by the Prince Rupert Port Authority and Hydra Energy will develop a hydrogen-fuelling station and test zero- and low-emission vehicles to support decarbonization and sustainability efforts within the port’s operations. These vehicles will support deliveries that include short-haul, local and long-haul.
“This collaboration, supported by Innovate BC’s Integrated Marketplace, highlights the vital role of hydrogen in decarbonizing heavy-duty transport,” said Badr Abduljawad, co-founder and chief innovation officer, Hydra Energy. “Together with the Prince Rupert Port Authority and other key project partners, Hydra has been awarded a valuable opportunity to demonstrate our hydrogen-as-a-service model. This initiative will integrate our hydrogen-diesel co-combustion technology with dedicated hydrogen-refuelling infrastructure, helping showcase Hydra’s capabilities in real-world port operations and the importance of transition technologies on the path to cleaner mobility.”
Created by the Government of B.C. in partnership with Pacific Economic Development Canada (PacifiCan) in 2023 and delivered by Innovate BC, the Integrated Marketplace helps B.C. companies test, deploy and scale their innovations while de-risking technology adoption for partnering industry customers.
