Assessing Port-related Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Mitigation Pathways Through a Comprehensive Framework Applied to...

Maritime transport is a major contributor to greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, and ports play a critical role in shaping regional and national decarbonization pathways. This study develops a comprehensive framework to quantify both offshore and onshore GHG emissions associated with port activities and applies it to the Vancouver Fraser Port Authority (VFPA), the largest maritime gateway of Canada. Using the port area ship emission model, fuel emission factors, life cycle assessment (LCA), and scenario forecasting, the analysis integrates emissions from ocean-going vessels, port authority operations, and non-port authority transport activities from 2020 to 2024 and extends forecasting for 2030 and 2050. Results show that total annual emissions from 2020 to 2024 ranged from 899 to 1,012 kilotonnes of CO₂_e, with offshore maritime activity consistently accounting for over 50% of total emissions. Shore power expansion reduced offshore emissions by 20.1% between 2021 and 2022. Three emission scenarios for 2030 and 2050 demonstrate that aggressive adoption of renewable biodiesel, vessel speed reduction, and electrification operations can decrease total emissions by up to 86% by 2050 relative to 2024 levels. The findings highlight the critical role of fuel transitions, port electrification, and policy-supported incentives in accelerating decarbonization. The framework provides a replicable methodological basis for global port emission mitigation planning.