BC’s Port of Vancouver Sees Mid-Year Trade Growth, But Softer Container Volumes

BC’s Port of Vancouver Sees Mid-Year Trade Growth, But Softer Container Volumes

During the first half of 2023, the Port of Vancouver in British Columbia showed an 11% growth in trade compared to the same time period in 2022, but softer container volumes, according to new data released Sept. 25 by the Vancouver Fraser Port Authority. The port reported a 14% decrease in overall container volumes to 1.6 million TEUs in the first half of 2023 versus the same time period in 2022, a reflection of a softening economy. Imports fell about 18%, while exports rose 14%, according to port data. Meanwhile, grain, auto and cruise businesses drove trade growth at the…
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Ships Asked to Curb Night Anchorage Moves Around Canada’s Gulf Islands

Ships Asked to Curb Night Anchorage Moves Around Canada’s Gulf Islands

In an effort to lower the impact of trade on its coastal communities, the Vancouver Fraser Port Authority is asking commercial vessel operators anchoring around British Columbia’s Gulf Islands to curb arrivals and departures at night. Starting July 1, the port authority has encouraging ships operators to conduct arrivals and departures in the area between 7 a.m. and 11 p.m. as a way of curbing noise. A six-month trial is being conducted before a permanent decision is made. The time window is part of a larger effort to reduce trade impact on communities. In 2022, more than 75 night vessel…
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Port of Vancouver, B.C. Sees Cargo Volume Gains, Losses in 2022

Port of Vancouver, B.C. Sees Cargo Volume Gains, Losses in 2022

Despite a strong second half, the Port of Vancouver in British Columbia, saw a 3% dip in cargo volumes in 2022, port data show. The Vancouver Fraser Port Authority, which oversees port operations, moved 141.4 million metric tons of goods in 2022, just short of the 146.5 MMT moved in 2021, according to data released in May. Bottlenecks along the supply chain and a drought-impacted harvest from 2021 were factors in 2022, with overall bulk grain volumes down 23%. The port did see a 4% growth in the second half of last year, however, thanks to robust grain and fertilizer…
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Vancouver Fraser Port Authority CEO Stepping Down

Vancouver Fraser Port Authority CEO Stepping Down

After more than 14 years at the helm of the Vancouver Fraser Port Authority, CEO Robin Silvester announced June 1 that he’s stepping down from the position. Silvester said he plans to stay involved to help during the transition of leadership as the Board of Directors prepares for a global search for its next president and CEO. Other details are expected to be announced in the coming weeks, according to the port authority. “It is time for a new challenge for me, and to make space for a new leader at the port authority after the recent federal environmental assessment…
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Canadian Government Approves Vancouver Port Terminal Project

Canadian Government Approves Vancouver Port Terminal Project

Following an environmental assessment process, the Government of Canada has approved the Roberts Bank Terminal 2 Project in British Columbia, the Vancouver Fraser Port Authority announced April 20. The project, which involves constructing new land and a new three-berth container terminal close to other terminals at Roberts Bank, is expected to eventually build out Canada’s container capacity on the West Coast by about one-third, adding 2.4 million TEUs of capacity. The extra capacity the Port of Vancouver is expected to bolster the country’s supply chain resilience and allows the port to better handle cargo volume increases, plus bring major economic…
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BC’s Port of Vancouver Expecting ​​Record Cruise Ship Visits in 2023​

BC’s Port of Vancouver Expecting ​​Record Cruise Ship Visits in 2023​

The Port of Vancouver in British Columbia has said that it’s poised to have its busiest cruise season on record this year with an estimated 331 cruise ships visits planned for the port’s Canada Place cruise terminal between April 12 and Oct. 24. This means about 1.2 to 1.3 million passengers could come through the cruise terminals this year, a 10% jump over the record 1.1 million passengers set in 2019, the port said April 11. Among the vessels scheduled to come to Canada Place this year are six ships visiting the cruise terminal for the first time: Brilliance of…
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Centerm Expansion Project Completed at British Columbia’s Port of Vancouver

Centerm Expansion Project Completed at British Columbia’s Port of Vancouver

Work is complete on a project to expand the Centerm Terminal at the Port of Vancouver in British Columbia, the Vancouver Fraser Port Authority announced Feb. 21. Done in partnership with terminal operator DP World, the expanded terminal allows Centerm to process 60% more cargo by augmenting its terminal footprint by 15%. The project also reconfigured and extended the container yard, created new modern truck gates, added to the intermodal yard, constructed a new operations facility and improved marine habitat.   “The completion of the Centerm Expansion Project marks a new chapter in the 100 year history of our DP…
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Canada’s Port of Vancouver a Testing Ground for Sustainable Fuel, Tech

Canada’s Port of Vancouver a Testing Ground for Sustainable Fuel, Tech

Canada’s biggest seaport, the Port of Vancouver, is paving the way for sustainable fueling and technology with the help of industry stakeholders and a joint funding initiative, the Vancouver Fraser Port Authority announced Dec. 6. Thanks to the Low-Emission Technology Initiative, the port authority and the Province of British Columbia each contributed $1.5 million to help move port operations toward low-emission fuel use. The initiative, according to the port authority, involves demonstrating battery-electric terminal tractors, making commercial ferries run completely on biodiesel, powering a crane with hydrogen and running a terminal locomotive and a port patrol boat completely on renewable…
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Canada’s Port of Vancouver Sees Record Cruise Ship Visits

Canada’s Port of Vancouver Sees Record Cruise Ship Visits

This month, the Port of Vancouver in British Columbia wrapped up its cruise season with a record 306 visits -- 6% more compared to 2019 -- marking a positive return after COVID-19 pandemic restrictions halted cruising activities. “It’s been fantastic to see cruise ships and passengers back in town after the two-year pause through the height of the pandemic,” Vancouver Fraser Port Authority President and CEO Robin Silvester said. “This year’s cruise season was an impressive comeback story for a critical catalyst for the local tourism industry.”  While this season’s passenger numbers were lower with the slow return to cruise…
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Agreement on Tilbury LNG Projects Signed

Agreement on Tilbury LNG Projects Signed

Under a newly inked agreement announced earlier this month, FortisBC Holdings Inc. and Musqueam Indian Band are to work together to ensure that the Tilbury LNG Projects will be beneficial to both parties. Tilbury LNG Expansion Projects encompasses the Tilbury LNG Storage Expansion Project and the Tilbury Marine Jetty Project, which would allow ship-to-ship LNG fueling at Canada’s Port of Vancouver and bulk export for LNG. Phase 1A of the expansion calls for adding a 46,000-cubic-meter storage tank and LNG liquefaction capacity of 0.25 million tons annually. “Musqueam is looking forward to being an equity partner with FortisBC at Tilbury,…
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