The Port of Vancouver - Just a Pawn in the Game of Commerce?

Abstract

Greater Vancouver is home to one of the largest ports in North America and some of the most modern container terminals in the world, the Port of Vancouver. Every year, the Port of Vancouver trades approximately $43 billion with more than 90 economies, creates jobs for approximately 70,000 Canadians, contributes almost $4 billion to Canada's GDP, and generates $763 million in tax revenue. By working together to maximize the opportunities being presented, the Port hopes to triple its benefits within 15 years (Vancouver Port Authority 2005). Increasing container trade with Asia, and specifically China, makes containers the Port of Vancouver’s fastest growing sector, - a growth which is not expected to subside significantly over the next two decades. Container handlings facilities on the Lower Mainland are, accordingly, being expanded and developed to capitalize on this major market opportunity and the considerable economic benefits it represent (Greater Vancouver Short-Sea Container Shipping Study). But at the same time the Port of Vancouver is at a crossroads. Despite their vast potential, Vancouver’s advantages are being jeopardized by freight congestion in the Lower Mainland, and alarming concerns about capacity to handle the projected trade growth over the next 20 years. Although a major road transportation improvement is planned on the Lower Mainland, trucking and railways companies are expected to face increasing challenges in the future to move containers in a timely manner and at reasonable rates. The need for an integrated multimodal transportation system that efficiently and safely moves goods and people while respecting the environment are for that reason highly critical if the Port of Vancouver wants to be a part of the global transportation game.