Location: Vancouver, British Columbia
Summary of Issue/Background
- The Port of Vancouver (the Port) is Canada’s largest port and is experiencing continued growth in operational demand as the number of vessels calling at port are forecast to increase as the container traffic and bulk volume going through the Port trend upward.
- The Port is under the stewardship of the Vancouver Fraser Port Authority (VFPA), a federally incorporated, autonomous, non-share corporation that operates at arm’s length from the federal government.
- Marine vessel traffic management plans are a best practice found at large world-class ports around the world. The implementation of these plans optimize the flow of traffic in and out of the ports, improve marine safety, and deliver operational certainty for business planning purposes. Greater efficiency can also mitigate the environmental impacts of marine shipping.
- In August 2021, Transport Canada announced that the VFPA is working with partners to design a new collaborative system to manage marine vessel traffic, strengthen marine safety, reduce negative social and environmental impacts, and optimize the supply chain flow for this strategic gateway. The proposal is due to Transport Canada March 31, 2022.
- In developing the system, VFPA is working with partners to develop the implementation plan that will include approaches to policies, procedures, practices, incentives, technologies, information, and data-sharing needed to deliver a traffic management system that creates benefits for all.
- Currently, there are 28 anchorage sites within the Port’s jurisdiction and another 33 anchorage spots in the Southern Gulf Islands that serve as overflow for the Port, most of which have seen an increase usage and anchorage times since 2011, causing concerns from coastal and Indigenous communities on the socio-environmental impacts and potential encroachment on Indigenous rights.
- Through the Oceans Protection Plan, the Government of Canada has been working with the VFPA and other partners to i) develop solutions around the management of large marine vessel traffic and anchorages in Southern British Columbia, and ii) to reduce the impact of all marine traffic on the Southern Resident Killer Whale (SRKW) population.
- The goal of the active vessel management system being developed is to create a better framework for decision-making that improves the overall efficiency and fluidity of port operations, generating economic benefits to supply chain partners, environmental benefits in the form of reduced noise impacts on SRKW, and social benefits in terms of reduced impact on communities from anchorage use in the southern Gulf Islands.
Messages
- Marine shipping plays a critical role getting Canadian exports to global markets and providing us with the goods we use every day. As Canada’s largest port, the Port of Vancouver provides a strategic gateway for Canada’s supply chain and economy.
- Trade growth in Canada must be managed in a way that considers community impacts, environmental protection and sustainability. While improving traffic efficiency within Canada’s gateways is essential for Canada’s economic competitiveness, it will also reduce the environmental impacts associated with vessel congestion, and lead to lower costs for Canadians.
- The Vancouver Fraser Port Authority continues to work with partners to develop the implementation plan for a new vessel traffic and anchorage management system that will reflect best practices seen in some leading ports around the world.