Environmental Benefits of Transport by Barge
Transportation is the largest source of green house gas (GHG) emissions in British Columbia, representing 36% of total GHG emissions (BC Government 'Climate Action Plan', 2006).
Emissions from marine sources make up 11 % of that total.
Freight GHG emissions continue to grow, despite significant improvements in fuel efficiency. GHG emissions from on-road freight transport increased by 92% between 1990 and 2005 (Transport Canada 'Transportation in Canada' An Overview 2007)
Many studies quote the environmental and health benefits of marine transport over road transport, based on fuel efficiencies per ton of cargo transported, notably the 2007 report commissioned by the National Waterways Foundation and US Maritime Association, and prepared by the Texas Transportation Institute, "A Modal Comparison of Domestic Freight Transportation Effects on the General Public."
This report compares cargo capacities of truck, rail and barge and, based on this capacity, outlines the following benefits of barge transport:
- lower emissions
- lower fatalities/injuries
- increased energy efficiency
- reduced infrastructure costs
- reduced hazardous materials incidents
All of these benefits could also be realized here in the Lower Mainland by switching
a portion of transport of containers from truck to barge.
The Texas Transportation Institute study uses emissions data from inland barges in the US, which is very useful data, but how do the emissions from our Seaspan barges compare to transport by truck, here in the lower mainland?
The example below specifically compares transport of cargo by truck in the lower mainland to transport of that same cargo by a Seaspan tug towing a container barge.
Cargo Transportation Comparison - 1 Seaspan Tug and Container Barge
/ 168 Semi Trucks
Download this Illustration
CO2e,CO2e,While a metric tonne is the accepted unit for CO2e,
emissions are expressed in kg in this graphic for ease of general
interpretation.
| 
Environmental Menu:
