Canada to increase exports via Vancouver port Gateway Strategy

In an effort to diversify and grow international trade relationships, Canada Minister of Transport Steven MacKinnon referred the Port of Vancouver, British Columbia, Gateway Strategy to the country's Major Projects Office (MPO).

The Gateway Strategy aims to support capacity growth at the port through four major initiatives, including the development of Roberts Bank Terminal 2 (RBT2). The proposed three-berth container terminal could increase the port's capacity by 50%, enabling CA$100 billion of new container trade annually. The project is awaiting final construction permits.

The port currently handles more cargo than the next five largest Canadian ports combined, with more than 20 dry and liquid bulk terminals. It is also Canada's leading exporter of grain, potash, petroleum products and canola oil, Canada government officials said.  However, to meet Canada's growth and trade diversification objectives, including doubling exports to non-U.S. markets by 2035, there are longstanding infrastructure constraints that need to be addressed at the port, they said.

Beyond the RBT2 project, the Gateway Strategy calls for the port authority to select a terminal operator for the 40-acre Fraser Wharves site in Richmond, British Columbia; develop a rail infrastructure strategy to enhance supply chain efficiency, reliability and resilience; and to increase and enforce environmental protections at the site of the port.

"As Canada's largest port, we know we're going to play an outsized role in delivering on Prime Minister Carney's commitment to double exports to markets outside of North America," said Peter Xotta, president and CEO of the port authority. "[Referral to the MPO] will help the Port of Vancouver and our partners get game-changing projects like Roberts Bank Terminal 2 built, and move more of what Canadians make, mine, harvest and grow to more customers around the world."