Prince Rupert Port Authority and DP World to assess feasibility for New Container Terminal

An area south of the current DP World facility just off of Ridley Island has
been identified as the next area for expansion of container terminal
facilities for Prince Rupert
(Image From PRPA)

The Prince Rupert Port Authority is ready to explore its future growth to the south, introducing its plans today to investigate the feasibility of a new container terminal to be located on Port property just to the northwest of the Prince Rupert Grain Terminal on Ridley Island.

In an announcement today, the PRPA announced that it had entered into a two year agreement with DP World to asses the feasibility of an innovative new container terminal project in Prince Rupert.

The potential project would add up to 2 million twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) of annual capacity to the Port of Prince Rupert, double the capacity of today and significantly increase Canadian trade capacity with critical Asia-Pacific markets, with considerable potential employment and economic impacts that will bolster the western Canadian economy.

The Port notes how the proposed terminal is advancement of their Terminal master plan from 2019 with a focus ahead on the steps required to minimize environmental and community impact.

DP World CEO and General Manager Maksim Mihic outlined how the agreement signifies the confidence the global shipping giant has in Prince Rupert.

“This agreement is a clear demonstration of our commitment and confidence in the viability of a second terminal at the Port of Prince Rupert. Our vision for this proposed project will ensure the Canadian trade and supply chain landscapes are future-proofed. 

The feasibility studies will employ a pragmatic approach, exploring the use of advanced technologies and ideas to position the new terminal as an industry leader within Canada and the world.”

A conceptual drawing of the proposed second DP World
terminal site just off the  Ridley Island Access Road
(Image From PRPA)

While there is no detailed review towards what they have in mind for a terminal facility, the introduction to their plans today does provide a glimpse into the focus  that they will have for the development should it move forward.

With Canada needing additional container terminal capacity within the decade, a second terminal in Prince Rupert will be an innovative, sustainable project that minimizes environmental and community impact through integrated land use and infrastructure planning, deploying leading edge technologies, efficient rail and truck connectivity with focus on optimization of the supply chain as a whole.

For Shaun Stevenson, President and CEO of the Prince Rupert Port Authority, the proposed terminal development offers an opportunity to expand on the economic success found in Northern BC through the port's initiatives. 

“As Canada’s third-largest Port, Prince Rupert is a proven driver of sustainable economic development in northern British Columbia and has been fortunate to earn the support of communities throughout the corridor. A second container terminal will help consumers, exporters and industries across the country while continuing to contribute significant economic benefit for local communities, the broader region and our Indigenous partners,” 

The announcement also calls on the strategic attributes that Prince Rupert has to offer the global shipping community.

Adding significant new capacity through a second terminal will increase industry access to faster service, wider reach, and the consistent reliability of the Port of Prince Rupert. 

The project’s development will maximize the value of strategic Prince Rupert attributes such as the shortest marine link to key markets, direct, safe, uncongested marine approaches and harbour, available industrial land with room to expand critical logistics, transloading and warehousing activities and North American access via CN’s Class 1 northern mainline, which has significant capacity to grow.

Towards consultation and partnership on the North Coast, the statement of their plans today also notes of the engagement process ahead with Indigenous representatives in the region.

The partners are committed to incorporating Indigenous knowledge and feedback into its planning and development process and continuing to entrench Indigenous economic interests in the Port of Prince Rupert’s ongoing development.

You can review the full statement here.

More notes on both the Prince Rupert Port Authority and DP World can be explored from our archive pages below:

Prince Rupert Port Authority

DP World