New Navigation Aids Being Installed in BC’s Eastern Burrard Inlet

New Navigation Aids Being Installed in BC’s Eastern Burrard Inlet

New navigation aids are set to be installed in British Columbia’s eastern Burrard Inlet to help vessels move through the busy Second Narrows waterway at night, the Vancouver Fraser Port Authority announced Jan. 8. The aids, which consist of installation of a pair of solar-powered range lights and a sector light off Berry Point, and lighting the Second Narrows Rail Bridge’s pillars, aims to improve visibility for the more than 500 cargo vessels that annually call to the seven marine terminals in the inlet. “The new navigation aids will enhance marine safety and offer ship operators moving through the Second…
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Vancouver Fraser Port Authority Names New VP of Operations, Supply Chain

Vancouver Fraser Port Authority Names New VP of Operations, Supply Chain

Maritime veteran Captain Shri Madiwal has been named vice president of operations and supply chain for the Vancouver Fraser Port Authority, effective immediately, the Authority announced Oct. 15. Madiwal, who has been acting Vice President of Operations and Supply Chain at the port authority since December 2023, has more than three decades of maritime operations and supply chain experience. He left his Mumbai, India home at 18 to start a seafaring career before moving to shore-based positions in 2008 to work on various Canadian shipping projects, such as vessel management, ferry operations and shipbuilding. He joined the port authority in…
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Port of Vancouver Terminals, Cruise, Shipping Lines Lauded for Environmental Efforts

Port of Vancouver Terminals, Cruise, Shipping Lines Lauded for Environmental Efforts

The Vancouver Fraser Port Authority has honored 29 terminals, tenants, marine operators, cruise lines and shipping lines for their environmental leadership at the Port of Vancouver, it was announced June 5. The port authority has annually presented the Blue Circle Awards, given to those who excelled in their efforts to lower emissions and underwater noise and save energy through the participation in the port authority’s EcoAction and Energy Action programs, since 2009. This year’s EcoAction Program recipients include shipping lines such as COSCO Shipping, Evergreen Line, Fednav, Hapag-Lloyd, HMM, MOL Chemical Tankers, MSC, Oldendorff Carriers, SM Line, Swire Shipping (formerly Westwood…
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B.C.’s Port of Vancouver Posts Record Cargo Volumes

B.C.’s Port of Vancouver Posts Record Cargo Volumes

Buoyed by robust export business, the Port of Vancouver in British Columbia saw record cargo volumes move through its gateway in calendar year 2023, according to data released March 22 by the Vancouver Fraser Port Authority. Canada’s busiest seaport, which is the third-busiest in North America, processed a record 150.4 million metric tons of cargo last year, a 6% year-over-year growth, despite softer import volumes, port data show. “The record cargo and export volumes moved last year demonstrate that one of the port’s key strengths and competitive advantages continues to be its diversification—both in terms of the commodities it can…
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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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