PRPA Announces Completion of Fairview-Ridley Connector Corridor Project
EFFECTIVE AUGUST 24, 2022
PRINCE RUPERT, BRITISH COLUMBIA – The Prince Rupert Port Authority’s (PRPA) Fairview-Ridley Connector Corridor formally opened today with an official ribbon cutting ceremony. Testing on the route got underway in mid-August, with container truck traffic beginning to travel to the newly opened southern gate at DP World-Prince Rupert Fairview Container Terminal, and the Corridor is set to be fully operational on August 29, 2022. The private haul road and two additional rail sidings now in place enable greater efficiency and competitive advantages at the Port of Prince Rupert, while improving public safety and supporting PRPA’s carbon reduction strategy.
The Connector Corridor was developed by PRPA as a critical component of the Prince Rupert Gateway’s intermodal ecosystem, a closed loop system of road and rail infrastructure that connects transloading and marine terminal operations within the Port’s existing footprint. The road and rail corridor directly links Fairview Terminal, both current and future capacity, with future import and export logistics sites on South Kaien Island and Ridley Island, that will offer new opportunities for Canadian businesses to reach global markets through containerized trade.
Stretching around the southwestern edge of Kaien Island, the Connector Corridor shortens the distance trucks must travel from existing transloading sites in Prince Rupert and future facilities to Fairview Container Terminal. By steering drivers away from urban areas and onto PRPA-owned roads, the Connector Corridor will help cut commercial vehicles emissions by up to 75 percent and reduce truck traffic congestion in the city of Prince Rupert.
“The Fairview-Ridley Connector Corridor is a key example of the Prince Rupert Port Authority’s proactive approach to land use planning and is designed to maximize efficiency within the Port complex, simultaneously upholding our commitment to reduce the impacts of Gateway operations on the environment and surrounding community,” said Shaun Stevenson, President & CEO of the Prince Rupert Port Authority. “With the addition of this infrastructure, we can enable greater efficiencies and competitiveness at the Prince Rupert Gateway and generate new economic opportunities on local, regional, and national levels.”
In addition to supporting trade and environmental targets, the Fairview-Ridley Connector Corridor has provided significant benefit to local and Indigenous workers, subcontractors, and other stakeholders, as well as enabled local and Indigenous skills training and employment in the surrounding community and Pacific Northwest region. The construction was undertaken by the Coast Tsimshian Northern Contractors Alliance (CTNCA), a local First Nations joint venture led by Prince Rupert Lax Kw’alaams Band and Metlakatla First Nation. Contracts awarded to CTNCA for the project, as well as the related habitat compensation work in Seal Cove, totaled more than $135 million, the most significant in PRPA’s history. Most of the construction was completed during the pandemic and at the project’s peak 118 people, working three rotating shifts, preserved to complete the extensive in-fill work.
“CTNCA was honoured to be the contractor of choice on the Fairview-Ridley Connector Corridor and had the pleasure of working collaboratively with the Prince Rupert Port Authority to construct the nearly five-kilometre road and we are encouraged by the relationship we have created together,” said Metlakatla First Nation Chief Harold Leighton. “When PRPA uses Coast Tsimshian owned businesses, like CTNCA, they are helping to provide true economic, employment, and training opportunities to local and Indigenous workers which directly and positively impacts the First Nation communities and their members. We are hopeful the positive relationship that was built between PRPA and CTNCA through this project will continue long-term and in a significant way on other Port of Prince Rupert projects.”
“The Fairview-Ridley Connector Corridor is an example of a creative solution that has a positive social, environmental, and economic impact, particularly at a time when trucking and logistics industries face challenges across North America. It also uniquely positions the Port of Prince Rupert to serve supply chains in the future, by developing an intermodal ecosystem where the entire container terminal and supporting infrastructure – including road, rail sidings, and future transload facilities – are all located on Port lands,” said Maksim Mihic, CEO and General Manager, DP World (Canada) Inc.
“The opening of the new Fairview-Ridley Connector Corridor is great news for our economy and for the strength of our supply chains. The new Corridor will not only promote greater access to the Prince Rupert Gateway, but will also create good jobs for Canadians and enable further economic growth for the region,” said the Honourable Omar Alghabra, Minister of Transport.
Images and video from the opening can be found at rupertport.com/news
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PROJECT TIMELINE:
- Initially feasibility study was launched in 2011
- CTNCA began early works to clear quarry sites in March 2018
- Project received an investment of $15 million from the Asia-Pacific Gateway Initiative in late 2018
- Early construction work began in May 2019
- Project reached 20% completion in April 2020 with dredging and infill work continuing
- Project reached 75% milestone in November 2020 with rock placed on full length of road
- Rail sidings added in April 2022
- Road paving completed in July 2022
- Truck gate activation in August 2022
ABOUT THE PRINCE RUPERT PORT AUTHORITY:
The Prince Rupert Port Authority manages the Port of Prince Rupert, Canada’s northernmost trade gateway on the west coast. The Port of Prince Rupert anchors one of the fastest and most reliable supply chains between North America and Asia, providing vital infrastructure to support shippers and industries as they move their goods and resources to market. The port handles approximately $60 billion in trade value per year and supports an estimated 3,700 direct supply-chain jobs in northern BC, $360 million in annual wages, and $147 million in annual government revenue. In 2020, a record 32.4 million tonnes of cargo moved through the Port of Prince Rupert.
FOR MEDIA INQUIRIES CONTACT:
Olivia Mowatt
Communications Officer
Prince Rupert Port Authority
250 627 2588
250 600 1500
omowatt@rupertport.com
EFFECTIVE JUNE 8, 2022
PRINCE RUPERT, BRITISH COLUMBIA – The Prince Rupert Gymnastics Association’s (PRGA) new training centre is now the best equipped gymnastics facility in northwest BC, providing enhanced opportunities for recreational and competitive athletes alike. Partnering once again with the Prince Rupert Port Authority’s (PRPA) Community Investment Fund, PRGA has filled its new 12,000 square foot space with a variety of gymnastics equipment that enables the organization to expand its programming, increase enrollment, and host competitions, special events, and camps.
Founded as a non-profit in 2014, PRGA has quickly grown to be a key part of Prince Rupert’s sports and recreational community. Offering programming to people of all ages, from toddler classes to adult drop-in sessions, the organization outgrew its former training space at the Chatham Building Complex, and in December 2021, moved into a new facility, located inside a renovated warehouse in Rushbrook Harbour.
With support from PRPA and other industry partners, the club has been able to overhaul the leased space and fill it with top-of-the-line equipment. The most significant addition to the PRGA training facility is a new spring floor. This apparatus was previously unavailable to local gymnasts due to a lack of space at PRGA’s previous facility. Members of Prince Rupert’s Gale Force competitive team had no choice but to travel to Terrace to use another club’s floor to train. Now with adequate room to accommodate the full-size spring floor, athletes of all levels can learn new skills and regularly practice their routines. Other additions include a new tumble track, air pit, spotting blocks, bars and rings, and mats and pads. PRPA’s total contribution for this new suite of equipment was $135,736.
“Here on the North Coast, there is constant demand for youth programming, especially options for indoor recreation that focus on building strength, flexibility, and coordination. Through this Community Investment Fund commitment to the Prince Rupert Gymnastics Association, many more local children and teens will have the opportunity to participate in the sport and access a wide variety of equipment to develop their skills and abilities,” said Shaun Stevenson, President and CEO of the Prince Rupert Port Authority.
“The support we’ve received from the Prince Rupert Port Authority has propelled the Prince Rupert Gymnastics Association’s growth, by providing the equipment required to expand our offerings at all levels, including further developing our boys’ and competitive programs,” said Jackie Touchet, President of PRGA. “The Community Investment Fund contributions have also enabled our club to host events and competitions, drawing athletes, coaches, and supporters from across the province to our training centre, which strengthens and elevates PRGA’s presence in the broader gymnastics community and helps us attract new talent.”
PRPA’s Community Investment Fund has previously contributed $60,000 to PRGA to acquire new gymnastics equipment. PRPA has partnered with numerous other local organizations to support indoor and outdoor youth recreation around northwest BC, including projects with the Prince Rupert Youth Soccer Association, the Prince Rupert Seamen Rugby Club, the Prince Rupert Curling Club, the Prince Rupert Scout Group, the City of Prince Rupert, Metlakatla Governing Council, My Mountain Co-op/Shames Mountain and the Terrace Off Road Cycling Association.
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ABOUT THE PRINCE RUPERT PORT AUTHORITY’S COMMUNITY INVESTMENT FUND:
The Community Investment Fund is financed by a share of the Prince Rupert Port Authority’s annual net income that has been dedicated to improving the quality of life for residents of the North Coast. By investing these funds into community projects, led mostly by dedicated local volunteers, the Port Authority has been able to share its financial success with the communities that enable it. Since 2009, more than $14.3 million has been committed to the Fund, helping to bring more than 90 local projects to life. Each of these projects has filled an important role in supporting recreation, health and wellness, arts and culture, youth, education, the environment, and other needs in the community.
FOR MEDIA INQUIRIES CONTACT:
Katherine Voigt
Manager, Corporate Communications
Prince Rupert Port Authority
250 627 2594
kvoigt@rupertport.com
CIF Gymnastics Equipment from Prince Rupert Port Authority on Vimeo.
PRPA SUPPORTS RENOVATIONS AT FRIENDSHIP HOUSE OF PRINCE RUPERT
EFFECTIVE JULY 2, 2021
PRINCE RUPERT, BRITISH COLUMBIA – The Friendship House of Prince Rupert’s lobby is now a more welcoming and efficient space for the thousands of people who regularly come through their doors. The reception and front hallway areas were renovated through a partnership with the Prince Rupert Port Authority’s (PRPA) Community Investment Fund, as part of a multi-phase modernization project, with the goal of providing Friendship House staff and clients a vastly improved environment for program delivery.
To accommodate the growing needs of the organization and handle the traffic coming in and out of the Friendship House, the entrance and reception spaces have been completely overhauled. The area has a new doorway, flooring, walls, ceiling, lighting, stairwell, and office space. There are also new security features allowing staff to control who is admitted into the main part of the building. PRPA contributed $62,500 to the project, covering half of the total cost.
“This renovation has greatly improved our ability to serve our clients by creating a safer, more secure, and more inviting space for them to sign-in for programs, receive referrals, access washrooms, and socialize with friends,” said Anna Zanella, Executive Director, Friendship House Association of Prince Rupert. “We are grateful to the Prince Rupert Port Authority for its continued support in modernizing our facilities, which helps us to enhance our services and bring more people together under our roof.”
The Friendship House of Prince Rupert is part of a nationwide network of Friendship Centres, and has been serving the community since 1958, offering educational, cultural, health, and recreational programs with an emphasis on assisting Indigenous people in an urban setting. In addition to serving Prince Rupert, Friendship House supports several surrounding communities including Port Edward, Metlakatla, Gitxaala, Lax Kw’alaams, Hartley Bay, and Haida Gwaii, with an average 100,000 client interaction a year through more than 30 programs and services.
“The Friendship House of Prince Rupert has an immeasurable impact on North Coast communities, and we are proud to support their efforts to enrich the lives of residents of all ages,” said Shaun Stevenson, President and CEO, Prince Rupert Port Authority. “Through this Community Investment Fund project, we are enabling their dedicated staff to better accommodate clients and continue to provide a high standard of service and care for decades to come.”
In addition to the new construction, the lobby now features stunning new artwork by local artist, Lucy Woodman called ‘Whales and Waves’. The design depicts a family of black fish swimming by moonlight to urban areas, to find a home away from home in the Friendship Centre movement.
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ABOUT THE PRINCE RUPERT PORT AUTHORITY’S COMMUNITY INVESTMENT FUND:
The Community Investment Fund is financed by a share of the Prince Rupert Port Authority’s annual net income that has been dedicated to improving the quality of life for residents of the North Coast. By investing these funds into community projects, led mostly by dedicated local volunteers, the Port Authority has been able to share its financial success with the communities that enable it. Since 2009, more than $14.3 million dollars have been committed to the Fund, helping to make more than 84 local projects come to life. Each of these projects has filled an important role in supporting arts and culture, recreation, health and wellness, youth, education, the environment and other needs in the community.
Lax Kxeen Elementary School’s playground is now safer and more inclusive with newly installed accessible equipment, thanks to the Prince Rupert Port Authority’s (PRPA) Community Investment Fund. The new space provides a place for children of all ages and abilities to explore and play, while also offering unique opportunities for occupational therapy in a fun, informal environment.
The playground was built through a partnership between the Prince Rupert Port Authority’s (PRPA) Community Investment Fund, Lax Kxeen Elementary School Parent Advisory Committee, School District 52, and other local supporters, with the goal of creating an accessible outdoor asset for the benefit of the school, as well as families in the community. The school’s existing playground equipment was not suited to people of all physical abilities and the Committee took the initiative to create a more inclusive space.
“Having a safe and accessible outdoor space is imperative to making all members of our school community feel welcome and included. Thanks to the support of the Prince Rupert Port Authority’s Community Investment Fund, we are able to give children of all physical abilities a place to play,” said Natalie McLean, Lax Kxeen Elementary School Parent Advisory Committee Vice Chair.
“We recognize that learning through play is an essential part of childhood development and by building safe spaces like the Lax Kxeen Elementary School accessible playground, we are creating chances for kids to strengthen their bodies and minds alongside their peers,” said Shaun Stevenson, President and CEO of the Prince Rupert Port Authority.
The playground was designed with guidance from School District 52’s Occupational Therapist James Wintle, who selected equipment that could be used by people with a range of physical abilities. The play space includes a carousel with features that allow people with different mobility issues – whether they require a wheelchair, walker, or cane – to enjoy the equipment in the same way as those who do not require support. Likewise, the recycled rubber material used on the surface of the playground can be navigated on foot or on wheels, meaning strollers can easily roll anywhere.
“During the pandemic, we’ve seen children experience more sedentary time because many activities have been cancelled. This playground is getting kids back outside, excited to move their bodies and providing them with opportunities to target different muscles and develop their motor planning skills,” said Wintle.
PRPA committed $70,000 from its Community Investment Fund to support this nearly $250,000 project. School District 52 will manage and maintain the playground. PRPA has invested $430,000 in six playgrounds in the Prince Rupert and Port Edward areas through its Community Investment Fund.
The Prince Rupert Port Authority (PRPA) announced today it has set another record for annual cargo volumes. Despite unprecedented challenges brought on by the pandemic, 32.4 million tonnes of cargo moved through the Port of Prince Rupert in 2020, nine percent more than in 2019.
“In a year marred by uncertainty, the Port of Prince Rupert has facilitated increased trade in support of Canada’s economic health through the pandemic enabling over $50 billion in international trade. Thanks to the diversification of our cargoes, and the commitment and determination to maintain a safe working environment through the pandemic by our Port partners and the men and women working in the gateway industry in northern British Columbia, the Port of Prince Rupert’s operations have remained resilient,” said Shaun Stevenson, President and CEO, Prince Rupert Port Authority. “Weathering the storms triggered by the Covid-19 pandemic, our Port has handily proven its resiliency, efficiency, and reliability as a key strategic trade gateway for Canada.”
Essential port operations provided important economic stability for the region in 2020. Port operations provided the foundation for $1.5 billion of economic activity, over 6,200 direct and indirect jobs related to moving trade through the northern BC corridor, and contributed nearly $12 million to local municipal government tax revenue.
The Port’s highest total volume to date was led by a rise in exports of coal, propane, and wood pellets. Ridley Terminal saw a year-over-year increase of 26 percent, driven by demand for thermal coal. AltaGas’ Ridley Island Propane Export Terminal marked its first full year of operation in May 2020 and ended the year with 1,159,207 tonnes loaded onto 27 vessels bound for Asia. Pinnacle Renewable Energy’s Westview Terminal had a record year, exporting 1,474,301 tonnes of wood pellets, an increase of 33 percent over 2019. Factory shutdowns in Asia and locked down economies in North America caused a 19 percent drop in container traffic in the second quarter. However, volumes rebounded and DP World’s Fairview Container Terminal finished a mere six percent down with 1,141,390 TEUs moving through the Port for the year, attributed mostly to a decline in the volume of empty containers being shipped through Prince Rupert back to Asia.
While cargo volumes grew in 2020, passenger volumes dropped off significantly, with the cancellation of the summer cruise season and BC Ferries experiencing a steep decline in ridership. The Prince Rupert Port Authority continues to work closely with the cruise industry and local stakeholders to determine the best way to welcome back passengers when Transport Canada allows international travel and removes the no sail order, which restricts cruise vessels from calling on Canadian ports.
The obstacles presented by the pandemic have not hindered progress on several key projects aimed at sustainably growing and diversifying the Port complex. Construction crews are nearing completion of the Fairview-Ridley Connector Corridor, a 5-kilometre private haul road that will reroute container trucks away from city streets and signficantly reduce truck emissions; DP World gained regulatory approval for the southern expansion of Fairview Container Terminal that will support a future capacity of 1.8 million TEUs; Vopak Pacific Canada is expected to make a final investment decision on a new liquid bulk storage facility and marine berth on Ridley Island later this year; and the environmental assessment process began for the proposed Ridley Island Export Logistics Platform, a project that will support large-scale export transloading, maximizing value to Canadian exporters.
“We continue to advance the development of critical infrastructure and expansion projects that support the resilience of the gateway operations, and the growth and diversification of cargo handling capabilities and capacities at the Port Prince Rupert,” said Stevenson. “By expanding trade enabling infrastructure, we will not only support our local economy, but will be poised to offer Canadian industries a competitive edge as the global economy rebounds from the effects of the pandemic.”
To see the full cargo summary, click here.
Port investment to create jobs, spark economic recovery
People who live and work in northern B.C. will benefit from a provincial investment of $25 million that will improve and expand operations at the Port of Prince Rupert.
This will support B.C. and Canadian exporters’ competitiveness and opportunities in international trade.
“Our investment in the Port of Prince Rupert will help create new good-paying jobs in our region, while improving western trade corridors and helping Canadian importers and exporters get goods to market,” said Jennifer Rice, MLA for North Coast, on behalf of Rob Fleming, Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure. “It will support regional businesses and provide the necessary infrastructure to boost our provincial economy to help build back stronger from the hit of the COVID-19 pandemic. This is an important investment in the future of Prince Rupert and of B.C. as a whole.”
The project, led by the Prince Rupert Port Authority, will improve and expand infrastructure at the Ridley Island Export Logistics Platform. The project, spanning more than 28 hectares (70 acres), will create a platform to enhance the port’s capacity for transloading B.C. and western Canadian natural resource products for containerized export by sea to international markets. Transloading is the process of transferring a shipment from one mode of transportation to another.
Once built, this new platform will increase the port’s export transloading capacity from 75,000 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) to over 400,000 TEUs annually. The completed project will come with new and updated rail tracks and dedicated roadways to and from the Fairview Container Terminal. It will also feature new offloading and storage facilities plus related large-scale equipment.
“Metlakatla First Nation participates in many aspects of the growth of the container business at the Port of Prince Rupert through our agreements, port infrastructure construction projects and entrepreneurial ventures like Gat Leedm trucking, the largest container trucking operation in Prince Rupert,” said Harold Leighton, Chief Councillor, Metlakatla First Nation. “The development of the export logistics platform is another opportunity to continue our shared success through both business and employment opportunities.”
The project is expected to provide substantive economic benefits, including supporting regional businesses and creating 200 jobs in transloading, plus an additional 2,000 jobs in areas such as warehousing, longshore work and trucking.
“We thank the B.C. government for investing in the development of the Ridley Island Export Logistics Platform, and its recognition of the value it will create for B.C. export industries and the communities that economically rely on them,” said Shaun Stevenson, president and CEO, Prince Rupert Port Authority. “This pivotal project presents an unprecedented opportunity for sustainable economic recovery, improved competitiveness, and greater diversification and stability throughout northern B.C.”
The project is funded through a mix of public and private investment, including a $49.8-million federal contribution through the National Trade Corridors Fund and a $25-million provincial contribution as part of StrongerBC, B.C.’s Economic Recovery Plan.
Learn More:
For more information on the project, visit: https://www.rupertport.com/logistics-platform/
For a video: https://vimeo.com/406062740
StrongerBC, B.C.’s Economic Recovery Plan: https://strongerbc.gov.bc.ca/
Government of Canada’s National Trade Corridors Fund:
https://tc.canada.ca/en/programs/funding-programs/national-trade-corridors-fund
EFFECTIVE NOVEMBER 30, 2020
PRINCE RUPERT, BRITISH COLUMBIA – The Prince Rupert Port Authority (PRPA) announced today the Fairview-Ridley Connector Corridor is now over 75 percent complete.
The Fairview-Ridley Connector Corridor is a five kilometre road stretching along the southwestern edge of Kaien Island. Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, crews from the Coast Tsimshian Northern Contractors Alliance, a local First Nations joint venture, have safely worked 24-hours a day on rotating shifts to build this critical piece of infrastructure. In addition to nearly completing dredging work, teams have placed rock along the full length of the road, with one third now at sub-grade elevation and ready for the paving structure. The project remains on track for completion in Q2 2021.
The $115 million Connector Corridor project will be fully activated when DP World’s Fairview Terminal expansion is completed in 2022. This will enable container truck traffic to be rerouted away from public roads to the new Port Authority-owned route, which will reduce the journey from 20 kilometres to 5 kilometres.
“The Fairview-Ridley Connector Corridor is designed to get trucks off downtown streets, improve safety as we grow, and reduce the environmental impacts of trucking activities in Prince Rupert,” said Shaun Stevenson, President and CEO of the Prince Rupert Port Authority. “We anticipate the changes will cut emissions for each truck trip by about 75 percent.”
The Connector Corridor is integral to the sustainable growth of Prince Rupert’s intermodal ecosystem, and will create new supply chain efficiencies through the development of logistics services, like the Ridley Island Export Logistics Platform and South Kaien Import Logistics Park. These projects will generate new jobs and economic advantages for local communities and First Nations, as well as reduce the impact of port operations on the environment.
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ABOUT THE PRINCE RUPERT PORT AUTHORITY
The Prince Rupert Port Authority manages the Port of Prince Rupert, Canada’s northernmost trade gateway on the west coast. The Port of Prince Rupert anchors one of the fastest and most reliable supply chains between North America and Asia, providing vital infrastructure to support shippers and industries as they move their goods and resources to market. The port handles approximately $50 billion in trade value per year and supports an estimated 3600 direct supply-chain jobs in northern BC, $481 million in annual wages, and $125.5 million in annual government revenue. In 2019, a record 29.9 million tonnes of cargo moved through the Port of Prince Rupert.
FOR MEDIA INQUIRIES CONTACT:
Monika Cote
Manager, Corporate Communications
Prince Rupert Port Authority
250-627-2550
mcote@rupertport.com
Fairview-Ridley Connector Corridor – Kurt Slocombe Interview from Prince Rupert Port Authority
EFFECTIVE NOVEMBER 24, 2020
PRINCE RUPERT, BRITISH COLUMBIA – Green Marine has determined that the Prince Rupert Port Authority (PRPA) is once again one of the highest environmental performers in North America, significantly exceeding jurisdictional regulations and further establishing its reputation as a global leader in environmental stewardship.
Green Marine is a voluntary environmental certification program for the North American marine industry that encourages participants to reduce their environmental footprint by taking concrete actions. The program is a rigorous, transparent, and inclusive initiative that addresses key environmental issues through targeted performance indicators. All results are verified and published every two years by accredited external auditors to achieve Green Marine certification.
PRPA’s performance report achieved the highest level in environmental criteria related to community impacts, spill prevention, aquatic invasive species, waste management, and environmental leadership. It also featured above average results related to greenhouse gases and underwater noise. PRPA’s average score was 4.5/5 in these categories, compared to the North American port average of 2.83/5.
The report made particular mention of PRPA programs such as Green Wave (which provides financial incentives to marine carriers to reduce air emissions and underwater noise), annual GHG and air emission inventories and forecasts, the Community Investment Fund (that dedicates a portion of PRPA’s net income to legacy community projects, including salmon enhancement), and its proactive collaboration with all port users to understand the environmental conditions of the air, water and land that surrounds Prince Rupert Harbour.
Notwithstanding its success to date, PRPA is committed to continually improving its performance in all areas of environmental stewardship. Recent activity to reintroduce shore power availability to container vessels and investigate new technology and feasibility of low emission trucks and equipment promise to further lower the port’s carbon footprint. Similarly, PRPA’s ongoing partnerships, initiatives, and research related to marine mammals and underwater noise will lead to improved management of the interaction between port activities and acoustic species.
This year marks ten years of PRPA’s participation in Green Marine, a voluntary program aimed at advancing environmental excellence in the marine industry. The Port of Prince Rupert was the first West Coast port to join the Green Marine program, and has used the program as a benchmark to continually improve and measure its environmental performance.
“The Port of Prince Rupert was the catalyst that motivated the program’s expansion outside of the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence region,” recalls David Bolduc, Executive Director, Green Marine. “It led to many participants joining from all coasts – Pacific North West, Gulf Coast, Atlantic – and this more diversified membership strengthened and added value to the program.” Bolduc added that PRPA has also played a very active role in supporting and expanding Green Marine’s objectives to reduce the environmental footprint of the marine industry, which has expanded to include 146 port members, terminals, and ship owners across the continent.
In addition to PRPA, local Port of Prince Rupert members also include DP World Prince Rupert, Ridley Terminals Inc., AltaGas’ Ridley Island Propane Export Terminal, Tidal Coast Terminal, Quickload Logistics, BC Ferries and the Alaska Marine Highway System. Along with the strong performance in the program, PRPA has provided industry leadership with roles on the Board of Directors, a founding and active member of the West Coast advisory committee and leading the development of the underwater noise performance indicator.
“The Prince Rupert Port Authority takes immense pride in demonstrating our commitment to environmental stewardship by going above and beyond our regulatory obligations to ensure our operations and practices are sustainable in the decades to come,” said Shaun Stevenson, President and CEO, Prince Rupert Port Authority. “We are grateful for the guidance and inspiration Green Marine has provided to our Port over the past ten years as we work together to mitigate the impacts of shipping on our environment.”
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ABOUT THE PRINCE RUPERT PORT AUTHORITY
The Prince Rupert Port Authority manages the Port of Prince Rupert, Canada’s northernmost trade gateway on the west coast. The Port of Prince Rupert anchors one of the fastest and most reliable supply chains between North America and Asia, providing vital infrastructure to support shippers and industries as they move their goods and resources to market. The port handles approximately $50 billion in trade value per year and supports an estimated 3,600 direct supply-chain jobs in northern BC, $481 million in annual wages, and $125.5 million in annual government revenue. In 2019, a record 29.9 million tonnes of cargo moved through the Port of Prince Rupert.
GREEN MARINE 2019 PERFORMANCE RESULTS
FOR MEDIA INQUIRIES CONTACT:
Monika Cote
Manager, Corporate Communications
Prince Rupert Port Authority
250-627-2550
mcote@rupertport.com
EFFECTIVE OCTOBER 21, 2020
PRINCE RUPERT, BRITISH COLUMBIA – The Prince Rupert Port Authority (PRPA) announced today that it has finalized the update to its Land Use Plan.
PRPA’s Land Use Plan is a strategic document that helps guide PRPA’s vision to continue its sustainable growth within the lands and waters under its formal jurisdiction, and facilitate Canada’s trade with the world through the next 20 years.
The new Land Use Plan continues a commitment to emulate local Official Community Plans, and contains many new adaptations, features and commitments in response to feedback from local First Nations, government and residents. Several new land use designations were created to recognize a local desire to improve waterfront recreation, viewscape buffers, and habitat enhancement. PRPA also acted on its prior commitment to formalize an industrial moratorium in the Flora Bank marine area.
PRPA’s Land Use Plan is a regulatory requirement under the Canada Marine Act, and was last updated in 2011. The update captures a dynamic decade of new investments, new terminals and new infrastructure that have developed at the Port of Prince Rupert, and reflects PRPA’s current vision of the growth potential for Canadian trade, and the progressive and innovative planning that will be required to achieve them.
“The updated Land Use Plan will help guide the Prince Rupert Port Authority, ensuring we consider the long-term impact of our decisions to best support continued growth and diversification at our Port. The Plan reflects the feedback we have received from local First Nations, local governments, and residents, balancing environmental and community values while we work towards creating even greater economic and employment opportunities,” said Shaun Stevenson, President and CEO of the Prince Rupert Port Authority. “I’d like to thank everyone who took the time to participate in the process, which ultimately helped us make a strong Plan that will help us navigate our common future.”
The next 20 years will bring exciting opportunities and challenges to PRPA and the Port of Prince Rupert. Mutually beneficial partnerships with local First Nations, municipalities, and the communities they represent will ensure the port continues to grow as an engine for jobs and business opportunity, while continuing to reflect environmental and social values through safe, sustainable, and responsible land development.
The Land Use Plan contains provisions for revisions and updates, and will be formally reviewed again in 2025.
The Plan can be accessed at: https://www.rupertport.com/land-use-plan/
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ABOUT THE PRINCE RUPERT PORT AUTHORITY:
The Prince Rupert Port Authority manages the Port of Prince Rupert, Canada’s northernmost trade gateway on the west coast. The Port of Prince Rupert anchors one of the fastest and most reliable supply chains between North America and Asia, providing vital infrastructure to support shippers and industries as they move their goods and resources to market. The port handles approximately $50 billion in trade value per year and supports an estimated 3600 direct supply-chain jobs in northern BC, $481 million in annual wages, and $125.5 million in annual government revenue. In 2019, a record 29.9 million tonnes of cargo moved through the Port of Prince Rupert.
FOR MEDIA INQUIRIES CONTACT:
Monika Cote
Manager, Corporate Communications
Prince Rupert Port Authority
250-627-2550
mcote@rupertport.com
