Robin Silvester News

The Canadian government has approved a marine container terminal expansion project in Delta, B.C., following a environmental assessment process that started in 2013.The Roberts Bank Terminal 2 Project includes building new land and a new three-berth marine container terminal near existing port terminals at Roberts Bank in Delta, B.C., about 35 kilometers south of Vancouver. The project will incrementally deliver an additional 2.4 million twenty-foot equivalent units (TEU) of capacity…

The Vancouver Fraser Port Authority, the largest port in Canada and the largest in the Pacific Northwest, has recorded new mid-year record for container volumes.Between January 1 and June 30, 2019, overall cargo through the port increased 0.5% to a record 72.5 million metric tonnes (MMT) over the same time last year, with new mid-year records in containers, potash, grain and cruise passengers.“This year’s record mid-year cargo volumes reflect what continues to be two of the Port of Vancouver’s greatest strengths—its broad global reach and ability to accommodate the most diversified range of cargo of any port in North America,” said Robin Silvester…

The Vancouver Fraser Port Authority has released the 2018 year-end statistics for cargo through the Port of Vancouver. The second consecutive year of record cargo volumes reflects Canada’s growing trade, said a press release.Overall cargo volume through Canada’s largest port reached a record high of 147 million tonnes, up 3.5 per cent from 2017, it said."One of the port’s biggest strengths continues to be the ability to accommodate the most diversified range of cargo of any port in North America. Sectors that experienced strong growth last year include containers, potash, canola products and barley, all of which hit new records in 2018," it added.In 2018, container volumes, measured in 20-foot equivalents or TEUs, increased by 4.4 per cent to a record 3.4 million TEUs.

The Vancouver Fraser Port Authority received federal funding for projects that will improve the flow of goods to and from the Port of Vancouver. Through the collaborative efforts of the port authority, Transport Canada, B.C.’s Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure, TransLink and the Greater Vancouver Gateway Council, an infrastructure program called the Greater Vancouver Gateway 2030 strategy was created to ensure the roads and railways that lead to the Port of Vancouver are ready to manage Canada’s growing trade. After extensive study, nearly 40 priority infrastructure projects were identified for the Lower Mainland region.

Global trade association Interferry has launched a call for papers on safety, security and the environment ahead of its 43rd annual conference taking place in Cancun, Mexico, this October. CEO Mike Corrigan stresses: “The core themes of this year’s conference are issues of ever-increasing importance not just to the worldwide ferry industry but across society as a whole. Two keynote speakers have already been confirmed – Robin Silvester, president and CEO of industry-leading environmental sustainability pioneer the Port of Vancouver…

Though overall cargo volume through the Port of Vancouver in 2016 decreased 1.8 percent to 136 million metric tons from 2015, sectors experiencing declines were offset by others that hit new records, including the bulk grain sector, according to the Vancouver Fraser Port Authority released its 2016 year-end statistics. “One of our biggest strengths has been, and continues to be, the port’s ability to accommodate the most diversified range of cargo of any port in North America,” said Robin Silvester, president and chief executive officer of the Vancouver Fraser Port Authority.

An independent three-member review panel has been established to conduct the environmental assessment of the Vancouver Fraser Port Authority's Roberts Bank Terminal 2 project, a proposed new three-ship container terminal that would accommodate growing demand for goods shipped in containers. According to the Vancouver Fraser Port Authority, the construction of the privately-funded project would create 12,700 person-years of employment over a five-and-a-half year period and its operation would support approximately 12,400 full-time jobs on an ongoing basis. Appointed to the review panel are members Dr. Diana Valiela, Dr. David Levy and panel chair Jocelyne Beaudet, announced Catherine McKenna, Canadian Minister of Environment and Climate Change.

Port Metro Vancouver’s 2016 cruise season officially kicks off today with the arrival of the Star Princess at Canada Place. Vancouver expects to welcome approximately 830,000 passengers on 228 calls, reflecting a forecasted 3 percent increase in passenger volume over 2015. “2016 marks the 30th anniversary of Canada Place,” said Robin Silvester, President and Chief Executive Officer at Port Metro Vancouver. The results of a joint passenger survey by Port Metro Vancouver, Tourism Vancouver…

Port Metro Vancouver today released its 2015 year-end statistics. Overall volume remained steady at 138 million tonnes of cargo as sectors experiencing declines were offset by others that hit new records. This is the port’s third consecutive year of strong cargo volumes, with new records set in the container, potash, and grain and agri-product sectors. Cargo shipped in containers continued to show substantial growth due to increased trade with Asia, with a five per cent jump in units (known as twenty-foot-equivalent units or TEUs) for a new record of 3.1 million TEUs. Grain and agri-product exports increased by eight per cent over 2014 to 25.1 million metric tonnes, and potash exports were 8.7 million metric tonnes, up 15.6 per cent from the prior year.

Funding for the installation of shore power facilities for container vessels at two Port Metro Vancouver container terminals has been announced by Kerry-Lynne D. Findlay, Canada’s Minister of National Revenue and Member of Parliament for Delta-Richmond East, on behalf of Lisa Raitt, Minister of Transport, and Port Metro Vancouver President and Chief Executive Officer Robin Silvester. Also present for the announcement were partners BC Hydro, Global Container Terminals – operators of Deltaport terminals – and DP World Vancouver, operators of Vancouver’s Centerm.

The first cruise ship of the 2015 season will depart Port Metro Vancouver this weekend. An exciting and increasingly popular cruise itinerary will run back-to-back trips between Vancouver and Hawaii for the first time, bringing an earlier-than-usual start to the 2015 Canada Place cruise season. Princess Cruise’s Grand Princess arrives in Vancouver this Sunday, March 22, for a round-trip sailing to the Hawaiian Islands. The ship will repeat the itinerary again on April 6. “We are very pleased to welcome the Grand Princess to Canada Place, commencing the 2015 cruise season and expanding on our already well-known Vancouver-Alaska cruise business,” said Robin Silvester, President and CEO, Port Metro Vancouver.

Port Metro Vancouver has released its 2014 year-end statistics, showing its second consecutive year of record-breaking cargo volumes. According to the port, the year was marked by best-ever volumes in the bulk and container sectors, resulting in a record overall year in tonnage. The port's terminals handled 140 million metric tons of cargo in 2014, up three percent from 2013. Import cargo rose 4.1 percent to 27 million metric tons, and exports rose 3.3 percent to 108 million metric tons.

Port Metro Vancouver issued an announcement welcoming news of the signing of the Canada-Korea Free Trade Agreement yesterday in Ottawa. The agreement will significantly boost Canada’s trade with South Korea, as well as provide strategic access for the Canadian import and export market to a key gateway to the wider Asia-Pacific region. “This is a historic agreement,” said Robin Silvester, President and CEO, Port Metro Vancouver. “South Korea is the port’s third-largest trading market, and an important trade partner for Canada in Asia. The agreement will benefit important sectors of Canada’s export economy, including metals and minerals, forestry products and agriculture products. South Korea is a key market for Canada’s resources, which come from provinces across the country.

Port Metro Vancouver has re-opened its Clark Drive access gate to inbound container trucks destined for the Centerm container terminal. Inbound access had been closed since 2010 due to unacceptable levels of congestion and traffic management issues along Clark Drive and on port property. Until the re-opening, all inbound container trucks entered Port Metro Vancouver’s south shore at Commissioner Street. The re-opening of Clark Drive has been made possible by extensive improvements to Port Metro Vancouver’s roadways intended to increase the fluidity of truck and rail traffic in the region. “Port Metro Vancouver has been working with the City of Vancouver towards the common goal of re-opening the Clark Drive access…

"The governments of Canada and British Columbia and Port Metro Vancouver have reached agreement with members of Unifor and the United Truckers Association to end the 28-day trucker work disruption. We are pleased that an agreement has been reached and are looking forward to truckers returning to work. The Joint Action Plan has been revised in recognition of the concerns voiced by container truck owner/operators. This comprehensive plan includes significant initiatives and actions with specific targets over the coming months.

The trucking disruption is affecting the movement of containers by truck to and from Port Metro Vancouver’s four container terminals. In general, 70% of containers arrive and depart Port Metro Vancouver container terminals by rail and 30% by truck. Following yesterday’s clear actions by Canada, B.C. and Port Metro Vancouver to protect the economy, we are seeing significant truck activity at Port Metro Vancouver terminals. The volume of container truck transactions on March 20, 2014 was nearly 40% of normal. It is the highest level since the trucking disruption began.

Unionized container truck drivers set up picket lines at Canada's largest port on Monday, joining hundreds of non-unionized workers who walked off the job last month in a dispute over pay and services. They will now join a nearly two-week long strike by non-unionized drivers, which has already crippled operations at the busy port, hitting the export of commodities like lumber and specialized grain products, and the import of consumer goods. "The impact of truckers walking off the job is in the order of about C$885 million ($796.9 million) per week…

Facing the prospect of continued disruption of port operations by disgruntled container truckers, Port Metro Vancouver said it is taking immediate steps to enhance the safety of the port for working truckers. At the same time, the port said it is working with federal and provincial governments, shippers and trucking companies to address trucker concerns and the continued instability of the container trucking industry. Port Metro Vancouver will be seeking continuation and expansion of our injunction to keep protestors off port property.

Canada's largest and most diverse port has released its 2013 year-end results showing continued growth, including a repeat of record volumes in the container and bulk sectors. In 2013, Port Metro Vancouver also advanced several ongoing capacity building infrastructure projects, updated and extended environmental initiatives and participated in substantial community engagement activities. The 2013 year-end statistics report shows that Port Metro Vancouver handled 135 million metric tons of cargo, a record for the Port, and an overall increase of nine percent over 2012.

The Honorable Ed Fast, Minister of International Trade, along with the Honorable Kerry-Lynne Findlay, Minister of National Revenue, on behalf of the Honorable Lisa Raitt, Minister of Transport, today announced infrastructure investments that will strengthen the border, improve marine container inspection capacity and improve efficiency at Port Metro Vancouver (PMV). "Our government's top priority remains the economy and creating jobs, growth and long-term prosperity in every region of Canada," said Minister Fast.

“Port Metro Vancouver is seeking ways to engage with communities and improve the Port and region’s long-term sustainability,” said Robin Silvester, President and Chief Executive Officer, Port Metro Vancouver. “This Gateway must thrive so that we can continue to support the B.C. •    Affirmation from Standard & Poor’s of our AA credit rating, for the third consecutive year. •    Operating revenues increased by three per cent to a record of $186 million. •    We secured a new five-year loan agreement to ensure liquidity for our capital needs. •    Completion of two Gateway Infrastructure Fee projects on time and on budget: the Lynn Creek Rail Bridge in North Vancouver and the 80th Street Rail Overpass in Delta.

Canada’s Port Metro continued its growth in 2012, setting new records in the container and bulk sectors. The 2012 year-end statistics report shows that Port Metro Vancouver handled 124 million tonnes of cargo 
through the end of December, an increase of one per cent over 2011. The 2012 throughput volumes reflect growth in Asian economies and continuing strength in the Canadian economy. The year also marks the advancement of several capacity building infrastructure projects, new sustainability initiatives and extensive community engagement including participation in more than 600 community events. “In order to best support Canada’s international and domestic trade…

City of Vancouver calls on Port Metro Vancouver to delay decisions on coal export expansion. In a letter delivered December 3rd, Mayor Gregor Robertson of Vancouver expressed his concern to Port Metro Vancouver CEO Robin Silvester that regional residents and businesses have not been properly consulted regarding two proposed significant expansions to regional coal exports. In the letter the Mayor asks the Port Authority to clarify its commitment to public consultation and expresses his hope that no decision will be made prior to community input. Port Metro Vancouver has sole authority to approve these coal export plans. Currently, no public hearings or external approvals are required prior to a decision.