AltaGas sees new benchmarks, as export volumes continue to increase

The Ridley Island Propane Export Terminal has set a new shipment record
with three vessel calls arriving at the RTI berth in May
(Photo from RTI website )

The success of the Ridley Island Propane Export Terminal is making for increased levels of export shipments out of the Port of Prince Rupert and this past May delivered for a new benchmark for the future.

In May the usual vessel call of two vessels a month saw a third carrier arrive, something which provided RIPET to best its previous shipment record by 50%.

Since the terminal opened for operations one year ago, over 1 million tonnes of propane have been shipped to global markets, making the Ridley Island facility an important part of the Global supply system.

The Terminal which is serviced by CN Rail has also provided for a boost to the CN Rail Supply Chain offerings and with the early success for RIPET CN is also setting shipment records, something the Railway noted with an information release earlier this month.

"CN's investments in its Edmonton-to-Prince Rupert corridor continue to help support and enable strong and reliable supply chains. By investing in capacity, we are supporting our customers' ability to grow and expand to new markets. Propane is an essential commodity required for commercial, residential and industrial use and we are proud to be providing a critical, safe and reliable option for our customers." -- CN Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer Robert Reilly.

The success of RIPET was among some of the themes from the Port of Prince Rupert's Annual Public Meeting streamed live from the Atlin Terminal last Wednesday.

Brian Friesen, the Port's VP of Trade Development and Communications provided the snap shot of how AltaGas has contributed to the success of the output volumes from the Ridley Terminals marine berth.

"In combination with new LPG volumes from the Ridley Island Propane Export Terminal RTI"s berth recorded an 18 percent increase in volume ... The First Marine Export facility for  propane in Canada Multi-gases' Ridley Island Propane Export Terminal handled 648,000 tonnes of chilled propane in its first year of operations. 

The terminal leverages CN's existing rail network and the deepest harbour in North America to offer BC and Alberta natural gas producers with direct access to International Markets. Primarily in Japan where it is used as a household utility. 

Prince Rupert offers a fifteen day shipping advantage versus the US Gulf Coast and the opening of the RIPET facility has had a significant impact on increasing the value of this Canadian resource "

Ken Veldman, the VP of Public Affairs and Sustainability, also noted on Wednesday that Ridley Terminals has completed its Environmental Assessment process towards the expansion of the RTI shipment berth.

RTI has so far not provided for an update on the timeline towards development of the additional berth and when it hopes to have it in service.

You can learn more about the  AltaGas Terminal operations from our archive page here.