Vancouver Port Vows to Unplug Bottleneck

(Globe and Mail – David Ebner)

Canada’s busiest port keen to cut ‘dwell time’ of containers as they move from ship to rail

On the Burrard Inlet in Vancouver, tall cranes hoist containers off ships onto the docks of Canada’s busiest port.

And there the containers sit.

North American ports try to get boxes from ships to railcars within three days, but at Port Metro Vancouver, which handles more containers than all other Canadian ports combined, only about half the containers make it out in that time. This year, almost a quarter sat for six days or more.

The port’s problems are typical of the productivity issues confronting Canada. Facing fierce competition from the United States, Port Metro Vancouver is in the early stages of a makeover aimed at radically increasing its efficiency and opening up an important but little-noticed bottleneck in the Canadian economy. Despite sometimes tense labour relations at the port, it’s an initiative that both management and unions say is vital.

“You can’t have a container sitting on the dock for a week if Americans can get it off in a day or two,” said Mark Keserich, president of International Longshore and Warehouse Union Local 500. “We’re in different times. Containers can go through any port. Nobody wants to see the work go to an American terminal.”

Last year, $75-billion worth of goods crawled through the port. Moving those goods more quickly would benefit companies across the country, speeding the delivery of merchandise ranging from electronics to running shoes, and ensuring that money isn’t tied up in unsold goods in transit. Read more here.

Mid-Year Stats Mark Rebound in Port Metro Vancouver Cargo

(Canadian Transportation & Logistics – Lou Smyrlis)

Port Metro Vancouver has released the 2010 mid-year results of overall throughputs in the Cargo Statistics Report. The report shows that 2010 is building momentum, with an overall tonnage increase of 20% totalling 58.4 million tonnes to date.

"As a significant economic generator for Metro Vancouver, the Province, and Canada, we are cautiously optimistic. Significantly improved half-year numbers are good news for all Canadians and signs of continued growth point to a return to 2008 pre global economic downturn levels possibly as soon as 2011," said Robin Silvester, President and Chief Executive Officer, Port Metro Vancouver, "Importantly during a slower 2009, the Port seized the opportunity to define processes and investments to improve efficiencies and capacity, and to collaborate with customers and stakeholders. Our efforts are paying off. We are pleased to see that while cargo through the port has increased again, we have reduced our carbon footprint and improved customer service," he said.

Total foreign tonnage increased 19%, to 45.5 million tonnes, with increased foreign exports to growing Asian economies leading the way. Read more here.

Port Calls for Commercial Approach in National Rail Freight Service Recommendations

(CanadaNewsWire)

In an effort to highlight the critical importance of rail service to the success of Canada’s Asia Pacific Gateway, Port Metro Vancouver is calling on Ottawa to implement a commercial approach to defining, measuring, monitoring and ensuring a high level of rail service. The Port proposed its recommendations on Friday in a detailed submission to the Transport Canada Rail Freight Service Review Panel.

“Optimal rail performance is a critical factor in achieving the Port’s goal to develop the most reliable and consistent supply chain in North America,” said Robin Silvester, President and CEO, Port Metro Vancouver. “We are confident that the Rail Freight Service Review will lead to meaningful and actionable recommendations for government’s consideration in its effort to maximize Canadian trade.”

Access the complete report here.

Port of Vancouver Breaks New Ground

(The National Post – Barrie Critchley)

By the middle of next week, another infrastructure-related government-linked entity will have priced an initial offering of debt securities. But this transaction is different: It will mark the first time that debt has been raised against a group of port assets.

Port Metro Vancouver, the marketing name for the country’s largest and busiest port – it handles about $75-billion in goods with more than 160 trading economies each year – is seeking to raise a maximum of $100-million by selling 10-year debt. Road shows get underway next week in Eastern Canada for the offering of unsecured debentures. The issuer, which will use the proceeds repay to bank debt, has been rated AA by Standard & Poor’s.

Port Metro Vancouver is responsible for the operation and development of the assets and jurisdictions of the combined former Fraser River Port Authority, North Fraser Port Authority and Vancouver Port Authority. It now operates as The Vancouver Fraser Port Authority, which is a non-shareholder, financially self-sufficient corporation, established by the federal government in January 2008. Read more here.

As Olympics Approach, Expect Delays in BC

(Materials Management & Distribution – Deana Rosolen)

Efforts in place to mitigate congestion, but deliveries will take longer

The Vancouver 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Games will take over Vancouver and Whistler, British Columbia, from February 12 to March 21. There will be a massive influx of people and a corresponding spike in demand for goods, not to mention an array of unique items to be moved – bobsleighs, anyone? Plus, many roadways, particularly in downtown areas, will be closed to traffic.

The streets and highways feeding the Games will certainly be more congested than normal, but there are plans in place to ensure that the supply chains supporting the Games run smoothly. The City of Vancouver and other agencies have issued plenty of information about what shippers and carriers should expect. Read more here.

Vancouver Truck Dispute Ends

(Journal of Commerce)

Drivers reach agreement with three companies

Container truck drivers at Port Metro Vancouver reached an agreement that will avoid a threatened strike.

Approximately 140 drivers had voted for a strike against three associated trucking companies. Instead, they resolved the dispute, which was about fees to be paid for moving containers between the port and off-dock storage sites, Bob Simpson, owner of the three companies, told the Vancouver Sun.

Vancouver Port to Stay Open Despite Strike

(Journal of Commerce Online – Courtney Tower)

Driver dispute involves trucking companies, not port

Port Metro Vancouver said it will remain open for business whether or not some local container truck drivers go on strike next week. And if any picket port property, they will lose their permits to serve the port, the Port Authority said.

A statement on the Port Authority’s Web site Tuesday refers to a Journal of Commerce Newswire report Monday that 140 owner-operators working for two trucking companies had voted in favor of a possible strike as soon as Monday, May 4, since contract talks with the companies had broken off. The story quoted Stu Shields, national representative in Vancouver of Canadian Auto Workers union Local 2006. Read more here.