Three technology companies, including B.C.-based firms Open Ocean Robotics and Hydra Energy, have started testing new environmental projects at the Ridley Island export terminal in Prince Rupert, B.C. The Prince Rupert Port Authority acknowledged the move on March 17, 2026, as part of a push to bring sustainable growth to the local shipping and logistics industry.
The pilot projects involve Open Ocean Robotics, which uses solar-powered drones to monitor the water, alongside firms Hydra Energy and NuPort Robotics. These companies are testing specialized tools like hydrogen-fuel conversions and autonomous driving systems for heavy trucks, as well as digital analytics to track how cargo moves through the terminal area.
Ridley Island is a major industrial site that runs 24 hours a day to move products like coal, grain, and propane to international markets. The Ridley Island Propane Export Terminal is one of several large facilities on the island that help keep the regional economy moving through constant export activity.
According to an announcement shared on a local community bulletin board, the goal of these tests is to modernize port operations. By working with these companies, the port authority is looking to find ways to make industrial work more efficient while supporting the growth of sustainable technology in the region.
