New Liquid Bulk Storage Facility

Royal Vopak and AltaGas Ltd. have formed a new 50/50 joint venture to further evaluate the development of the Ridley Island Energy Export Facility (REEF), a large-scale liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) and bulk liquids terminal and marine berthing and loading facility on Ridley Island at the Port of Prince Rupert.

In 2022, the project received key determinations and permits from the Government of Canada and an Environmental Assessment Certificate from the Government of British Columbia. In 2023, the joint venture executed a long-term lease on a 190-acre site administered by the Prince Rupert Port Authority. Vopak and AltaGas continue to work toward making a Final Investment Decision.

The proposed project provides much needed tidewater access to global markets for Canadian products such as methanol, diesel and propane. The selected site benefits from ample deep-water and direct rail reach to the Pacific.

It’s anticipated that vessel loading operations will occur approximately once every three days; at full capacity, this yields approximately 171 vessels per year, depending on customer demand. The jetty will be able to accommodate vessels of up to 85,000 cubic metres at two berths with a maximum draft of 14.5 metres.

Project Overview

The terminal will be built and operated in accordance with industry standards, Canadian regulations, and international quality and safety standards to ensure the safety of employees, neighbours and surrounding communities.

The project proponent is well aligned with the Port’s development strategy. The addition of liquid bulk cargoes diversifies and grows Prince Rupert’s cargo mix and the associated ‘gateway industry’ in northern BC.  The proposed project makes use of existing infrastructure (including the Ridley Island Road Rail Utility Corridor), and its open access nature maximizes the density and volume of cargo throughput over a minimal terminal footprint.