Multinational calls on Minns Government to retain Sydney Harbour’s last working port

The fight to retain Sydney Harbour’s last working port has extended to a global shipping company based in Canada which has invested $1 million in future sustainability plans for Glebe Island. But they say “enough is enough”.

Canadian-headquartered CSL has backed out of a multimillion-dollar renewable energy project until the NSW Government guarantees the future for the Glebe Island port. PictureThomas Lisson

A global shipping company has backed out of a multimillion-dollar renewable energy project until the NSW Government guarantees the future for Sydney Harbour’s last working port at Glebe Island.

Canadian-headquartered CSL signed a letter of intent with the Port Authority of NSW in 2022 to help reduce carbon emissions by supporting the installation of shore power that would enable ships to berth at Glebe Island and shut down their engines while continuing to unload materials or food.

CSL has already invested more than $1 million in preparing three of its vessels for shore power readiness, initially planned for roll out in the Bays Precinct in 2026.

CSL has invested more than $1 million in preparing three of its vessels for shore power readiness. Picture: Thomas Lisson

But a spokesperson for the company told The Daily Telegraph on Sunday: “Further investment is on hold, pending the decision by the NSW government to continue commercial shipping operations at Glebe Island.

“CSL is committed to reducing the carbon emissions of our vessels and shore power is an initiative that can help us do this, however we need the port infrastructure to plug in.

“Glebe Island was going to be the cornerstone of our shore power initiative, as the first one of our ports to electrify.

“Unfortunately, this project is now on hold, as we can’t invest further without certainty from the NSW government on the future of Glebe Island as a working port.”

A coalition of construction, tourism, events, and food industries are continuing their fight to retain Glebe Island as a working port. Picture: Thomas Lisson

A coalition of construction, tourism, events, and food industries are continuing their fight to retain Glebe Island as a working port as the Minns Government considers shutting it down to make way for high rise apartments.

CSL also strongly supports retention of the port as the largest dry bulk ship owner on the Australian east coast. Its vessels berth at Glebe Island every 10 to 14 days to deliver materials including cement and gypsum.

A single shipment if forced to go by road would require 1000 trucks to transport.

The shore power initiative from the Port Authority of NSW is a first in the Southern Hemisphere.

According to the Port Authority website introducing Shore Power to Bays Port precinct is one way Port Authority is helping to contribute positively to addressing climate change. Picture: John Appleyard

According to the Port Authority website: “Once a ship is safely alongside at berth, some of their engines or generators continue to run - as ships require power to carry out their operations – whether for cargo unloading or to provide electricity for the ship’s crew and passengers, including for lighting, heating and cooling, refrigeration, cooking and food preparation, and communication systems.

“When ships can plug-in to renewable electricity from the shore, this allows them to power down their auxiliary engines – reducing CO2 emissions, noise and air pollution.

“Introducing Shore Power to Bays Port precinct is one way Port Authority is helping to contribute positively to addressing climate change and reducing impacts on the local community.”

The Port Authority also claims CO2 reductions would be equivalent to taking 1100 cars off Sydney’s roads or planting 20,000 trees a year.

Originally published as Multinational calls on Minns Government to retain Sydney Harbour’s last working port