Wednesday, March 20, 2013

Will Vancouver's coal concerns provide a bounty of opportunity for Ridley Terminals?



There's an interesting battle starting to rage in Vancouver over planned expansion of Metropolitan Vancouver's coal export terminals, an issue which is making for much in the way of discussion and controversy.

Business in Vancouver-- Anti-coal municipalities face 'uphill' legal battle: lawyer
Vancouver Sun-- Coal lobby stresses jobs, economics as terminal controversy heats up
Vancouver Sun-- In Port Metro Vancouver, it's full steam ahead for coal
Vancouver Sun-- Port approves first of two controversial coal-export projects
Vancouver Sun-- Facts in short supply in the coal debate
Vancouver Sun-- Serving as the doormat of the gateway to the Pacific
Vancouver Sun-- Coal-shipping facilities under scrutiny
Vancouver Sun-- Coal exports provide British Columbians a "living wage"
Vancouver Province-- Mayor Gregor Robertson's objections to coal exports is 'meaningless,' says port official
Vancouver Province-- Fight brewing over North Vancouver terminal's plans to double its coal exports
Surrey Now-- Coal Train proposal riles councils
The Tyee-- Like whaling, BC's coal industry is best put behind us
The Tyee-- Coal Opponents Forging Cross Border Ties
The Tyee-- South of Border, Hot Debate involves BC Coal Port Plans
The Tyee-- Vancouver mayor, port officials square off over coal shipments
The Tyee-- Coal Port to China Barges ahead without Public Support: Activists
Georgia Straight-- Surrey and Vancouver city councils to review motions on Fraser-Surrey Docks coal export expansion
Georgia Straight-- Daniel Tseghay and Andrew Weaver: We can choose not to export coal in B. C.
Vancouver Observer-- City of Vancouver takes leadership on coal: highlights of yesterday's hearing
Vancouver Observer-- Battle over coal heats up in Metro Vancouver
Vancouver Observer-- Outrage over Port coal expansion grows
Vancouver Observer-- Port Authority misrepresents public comments on coal export proposal: VTACC
Vancouver Observer-- Coal expansion plan a serious health concern: chief medical officers ask for more formal input into reviews
Business in Vancouver-- Coal Sector generates $3b in GDP: PwC

The prospect of slowing down, if not reversing some of the shipments of coal in the Vancouver area could provide for yet more opportunity for the North Coast's Ridley Terminals, which currently is  working towards a further expansion of its own shipment capacity.

While the Terminal continues down the path towards possible privatization, the future it would seem could provide for a bonanza of opportunity not only for whichever company may eventually lay claim to the company, but to north coast workers and potential workers at the terminal site.

You can review some of our past items about Ridley Terminals here.

All of that coal that is currently routing through Vancouver (and that planned for the future) will need a terminal that can quickly turn around the vessels calling port side, Prince Rupert's Terminal already boasts of a pretty good reputation, should shippers be looking long term and towards a less controversial future, it would seem that Ridley Terminals would provide a pretty good fit.

It may not be a long, long term bonanza however, considering the battle lines over coal shipments that seem to be forming up.

The nature of those opposed to the concept of coal (both across the province and on the north coast) would seem to be that of no mining, no shipments.

But, for the short term (length of which the above battle would dictate) for many in Metro Vancouver it would seem that out of sight, out of mind will work, and Ridley Terminals would surely meet those expectations we imagine.

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