New Liquid Bulk Storage Facility

Vopak Development Inc, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Royal Vopak, is investigating the opportunity to construct, own and operate a new bulk liquids tank storage and marine berthing and loading facility on Ridley Island, within the lands and waters under the jurisdiction of the Prince Rupert Port Authority.

Project Overview

The proposed terminal would store and ship liquid products such as Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) (i.e. propane), Clean Petroleum Products (CPP) (i.e. refined products such as diesel and/or gasoline), and methanol.  Vopak would build the project and manage the operations of the facility. All products would be transported from various locations across Western Canada to the terminal via the existing CN rail line.

The project is estimated to have a capital cost of $750-900 million.  Construction is estimated to require a workforce of approximately 300 people, and operations would require 40-50 full time employees.

Canada is a significant producer of products such as methanol, diesel, and propane, but is in need of enhanced access to the strong demand for those products in international markets.   Methanol, for example, is in high demand in China for use as a fuel additive and manufacturing input.  Diesel would reach markets in need of fuels for transportation (cars, boats and trucks).  Propane would be exported for use in Asia Pacific markets that use it for heating and other industrial applications.

Royal Dutch Vopak is a 400 year old company based in the Netherlands, and is the world’s leading independent tank storage provider and operates a global network of 66 terminals, including 4 on Canada’s east coast.  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.

Vopak Pacific Canada 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.