OUR GLOBAL COMMITMENT
Committed to a sustainable future.
As a leader in the shipping industry, we are committed to making sustainability a priority — this is the foundation of our Global Commitment Program, which reflects our dedication to the environment, safety, and community and the development of best practices in ESG (Environmental, Social and Governance). The program includes protecting the environment and wildlife in the communities in which we operate. GCT continues to demonstrate our responsible stewardship through innovation, densifying our existing footprints, improving our energy efficiency, investing in more efficient equipment, and decreasing overall emissions. It also means promoting local economic growth and positive impacts in the community, supporting meaningful partnerships with Indigenous Peoples and communities, and providing a safe and equitable workplace for our employees, stakeholders, and customers.
Each of Global Container Terminals’ shareholders are signatories to the United Nations-backed Principles for Responsible Investment (UN PRI). IFM Investors, Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan (OTPP), and British Columbia Investment Management Corporation (BCI) are responsible and engaged shareholders with a principled approach to managing risk and opportunities. On behalf of our owners, GCT is an effective steward and a sustainable, clean, and green investment.
A commitment you can see.
As our terminals continue to expand and increase capacity, sustainability remains a core focus in everything we do, from our operating procedures to the equipment we use. The “Global Commitment” seal is our visible pledge to a greener future and will be placed on all GCT heavy iron equipment that meets our environmentally-friendly standards. In 2017, the seal made its debut on our fleet of electric high-efficiency cranes at GCT Deltaport – eight CRMGs and two ship-to-shore Megamax cranes. Our dedication to sustainability drives us to continuously innovate and invest in eco-conscious technologies, ensuring that every step we take towards growth is a step towards a greener and more responsible future.
A Green Partnership
In Q4 2014, GCT Global Container Terminals Inc. joined Green Marine, a voluntary environmental certification program for the North American Marine Industry. The Green Marine certification process is rigorous and transparent: results are independently verified every two years, and each company’s results are published on Green Marine’s website. The program sets higher benchmarks for air, land, and water emissions than those set by government regulations so that as an industry, we can work toward a more sustainable future.
- GHG AND AIR POLLUTANTS
- SPILL PREVENTION
- COMMUNITY IMPACTS
- ENVIRONMENTAL LEADERSHIP
- WASTE MANAGEMENT
GCT Terminals continue to achieve the “Excellence & Leadership” level in almost every area. As we continue to upgrade our facilities and innovate our operations, we will continue to set a high standard across these criteria.
GCT Canada is also a Climate Smart Certified organization, having created GHG inventories according to the GHG Protocol: A Corporate Accounting and Reporting Standard (GHGP), an internationally accepted standard for greenhouse gas accounting.
Climate Smart is an award-winning training program that helps small and medium businesses in every industry create a greenhouse gas inventory then devise a GHG emissions reduction plan to take action and make change.
GCT involves staff across all levels in the company in the planning and implementation of sustainability initiatives. At the end of 2021, 14 individuals at GCT have received training with Climate Smart. Climate Smart carbon emissions data management is a key aspect of GCT’s Global Commitment work.
Results:
GCT Canada: 9% reduction in absolute emissions since 2014
Working together for something greater.
Our collaboration with customers, stakeholders, industry and community associations, vendors, and suppliers is what sets us apart from our peers and competitors. We don’t just implement new procedures within our own facilities, we challenge our partners to similarly improve their operations. We believe that by elevating our own policies and procedures, we can influence others in our industry to also change their behaviour for the greater good.
OUR ENVIRONMENTAL POLICY
As GCT Canada continues to expand and increase capacity, sustainability and environmentally responsible practices will remain a core focus, both locally and globally. We are committed to supporting and protecting the communities in which we operate and have many successful initiatives in place that are already making a difference.
Our approach goes beyond just meeting the minimum legal regulations. We are continually pushing ourselves to proactively find ways to do things better like reducing fuel consumption and emissions, using resources wisely, and reducing our environmental footprint—all while maintaining our economic competitiveness.
As part of the GCT Global Commitment Program, GCT Global Container Terminals has developed an ESG Strategy focusing the company on 10 key criteria related to Environmental, Social and Governance Best Practices.
Expanding reach without increasing impact.
With the industry trending toward customer consolidation, increased container traffic, and larger vessels, our strategy for expansion continues to focus on densification. The recent GCT Deltaport Intermodal Rail Yard Reconfiguration Project increases our rail handling capacity by over 50%, significantly decreasing emissions during the process. The state-of-the-art expansion was completed within the existing terminal footprint and includes modern, electric, low-emission equipment, streamlined procedures, and LED lighting. This innovative approach allows us to help our customers grow their businesses with minimal impact on the environment.
reduction in tractor emissions
Decreased noise & light pollution
completed on existing footprint
An award-winning truck gate system.
As the pioneers of the truck reservation system in North America, our innovative program at GCT Canada has evolved to include weekday night gate operations. The program reduces truck idling and dwell times, and smooths traffic during peak hours, considerably decreasing emissions. The effects of the program are equivalent to removing 800 cars from the road per year and earned us recognition as one of Canada’s Clean50 Top 15 Projects for 2017.
2x truck capacity without footprint expansion
800 fewer cars on the road = the comparable result of reduced GHGs (~4,100 tCO2e)
1,200 5-gallon buckets of soot = amount of air pollutants reduced (~11,700kg/year)
Investing in sustainable equipment.
As part of our commitment to a more sustainable future, we are continually evaluating our equipment to see where we can introduce newer, more environmentally friendly options. This includes everything from electric ship-to-shore cranes with regenerative drives to LED lighting and low-emission container handling equipment.
Here are a few of the most recent equipment upgrades at GCT Canada:
4 electric Megamax Cranes at Deltaport
2 electric Megamax Cranes at Vanterm
8 electric CRMGs
LED terminal and equipment lighting
12 Kone cranes: Tier 4f Diesel RTGs
Auto decoupling tractor trailers is reducing KM travelled and tire consumption
Vanterm Modernization Project added new technology and equipment across the terminal
Shorepower installed at GCT Deltaport
reduction in GHG absolute emissions
*since 2014
98% of operating expenditures spent in Canada in 2020
Ongoing upgrades to LED lighting on high miasts and on ship-to-shore and RMG cranes
ENERGY SAVINGS FROM NEW TIER 4F RTGS (2016)
An audible difference.
As conscientious neighbours, we are always searching for ways to minimize both the noise and light emitted from our facilities. In 2014, GCT Canada tested new audible enunciators at our facilities and in-ground lighting at the GCT Vanterm rail yard. Moving forward, we will continue looking for ways to reduce the impact on our workforce and nearby residents.
OUR SAFETY POLICY
Safety is our first priority.
Everything we do at GCT revolves around making sure that our staff and workforce are kept out of harm’s way. This approach to safety is what inspired many of the recent innovations at GCT Deltaport, including the design of the reconfigured intermodal rail yard. The new track layout keeps tractor trailer traffic outside the working tracks, creating a safer work environment and increasing the capacity of the rail yard at the same time.
Establishing higher standards of safety.
When it comes to safety, we believe it’s our responsibility to go beyond current regulatory requirements and actively pursue new procedures, policies, and equipment—not just for the well-being of our workforce, but for the entire industry. With the support of the BCMEA and the ILWU, GCT Canada leads industry safety standards in the Port of Vancouver. Our implementation of Type II hardhats for all our staff and workforce is just one example of our full commitment to safety.
Our safety pledges:
1.
We will provide a safe, secure, and healthy environment.
2.
We will train our employees to work safely and provide them with the equipment and information necessary to do so.
3.
We will ensure that all work is performed safely, no matter how important or urgent.
4.
We will ensure a continued and open dialogue with all business partners.
5.
We will focus on the continuous improvement of our operations.
6.
We will comply with all regulations and industry standards.
7.
We will cooperate with all regulatory agencies.
8.
We will prevent and investigate the occurrence of unsafe or illegal acts.
9.
We will prepare and react promptly to an emergency situation.
Building a strong community for the future.
It is our duty as responsible, corporate citizens to ensure the future of generations to come. We are committed to strengthening our local communities and enriching the lives of those who live there, many of whom are employees of GCT. In 2016, we put $24.3 million back into Delta businesses and the recent GCT Deltaport Intermodal Rail Yard Expansion will result in approximately $900 million in combined economic benefits for BC and Canada.
As an organization, and as individuals, we are continually searching for ways to reduce fuel consumption, use resources wisely, and decrease our environmental footprint—all while maintaining our economic competitiveness.
Our local involvement.
GCT Canada actively supports charitable organizations that align with our core values of sustainability and safety, including programs that support youth, education, and the environment.
Find out more about GCT’s Community Giving Initiatives
REACH Child & Youth Development Society
GCT Canada proudly supported the REACH Child & Youth Development Society in Delta with a significant donation to aid in the construction of a much-needed new child development centre.
KidSport
The GCT Canada soccer team “Raining Steel” won the 2016 and 2017 Seaspan World Cup soccer tournament and donated their winnings to the local Vancouver KidSport chapter, an organization that helps local children access sports programs. GCT Canada also regularly supports the local Delta chapter of KidSport.
UBC Hospital Foundation Vitality Gala
GCT is delighted to support to the Vitality Gala, an event that unites numerous industry professionals and philanthropic individuals. This annual gathering not only fosters meaningful connections but also contributes to important causes in medical research and patient care.
GCT Indigenous Relations
GCT is committed to forming meaningful relationships with Indigenous Peoples based on shared values of Community and Stewardship.
GCT is driven by values that align with the communities in which it operates. We recognize that true economic, social and environmental sustainability must occur in collaboration with Indigenous Peoples. This understanding influences how GCT engages with its Indigenous neighbours and how the company moves forward with operations and projects, supporting our collective reconciliation journey and shared prosperity.
The Salish Sea Spirit at GCT Deltaport
“protecting our vibrant ecosystem and building stronger relationships within our community.”
The Salish Sea Spirit House Post at GCT Deltaport represents the deep roots and traditional knowledge that bonds the Tsawwassen First Nation community’s identity surrounding GCT Deltaport, symbolizing the collective commitment to stewardship, safety and conservation shared by GCT Deltaport and the Tsawwassen First Nation.
According to the traditions of the Coast Salish Peoples, a house post is raised to bring awareness to the land on which its placed. Given GCT Deltaport’s distinctive location, the Salish Sea Spirit house post acts as a beacon that tells the story of two neighbours.
This traditional work of art was crafted from red cedar by renowned artist and carver Karl Morgan of the Tsawwassen First Nation and commissioned by Global Container Terminals.
Read more about the Salish Sea Spirit
GCT Canada Scholarship Program for Indigenous Students
GCT Canada was pleased to introduce its first annual GCT Canada Future of Nations Scholarship for Indigenous Students in 2022. This scholarship program is intended to support students from Nations whose territories neighbour and host GCT Deltaport and GCT Vanterm, who demonstrate strong academic performance, community involvement, and leadership.
In 2022, the first scholarship was launched with Tsawwassen First Nation. GCT looks forward to working with other neighbouring Nations to expand this program.
“Scholarship programs, such as those offered by GCT Global Container Terminals, offer a transformative opportunity for students pursuing post- secondary education by removing the financial barriers that often hinder access to higher learning. Such programs provide students like myself with the chance to unlock their academic potential and pursue their dreams of post-secondary education. Thank you GCT Global Container Terminals for helping me accomplish my goals!”
— Jenna Marand, TFN Member, Graduate Student, Masters of Child and Youth Care, University of Victoria, and 2022 GCT Canada scholarship recipient
If you have questions about the scholarship program or would like more information, please reach out to community@globalterminals.com
2023 Tsawwassen First Nation GCT Canada Future of Nations Scholarship for Indigenous Students.
2023 Application Period:
Opens March 17, 2023, and closes August 7, 2023 at 5:00PM.
OUR SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY