PRPA notes of congestion along supply chain, other factors towards recent study rankings

DP World Prince Rupert
(image from PRPA) 

The recent release of a report from the World Bank and Standard and Poor has put the spotlight on the Ports of British Columbia, with the two largest facilities of Vancouver and Prince Rupert rating near the  bottom of the global index for the publication.

We outlined some of the study's results yesterday, with a note that we had reached out to the Prince Rupert Port Authority for comment on the publication's findings.

From that request, came a reply this morning with a statement that notes of some of the external factors related to trade that serve to impact on transportation into the Prince Rupert Gateway.

"The report’s findings reflect the continued challenges created by volume surges in transpacific trade experienced by all west coast ports in North America that began during the COVID-19 pandemic. 

The report uses vessel wait times as an indicator of overall efficiency but does not take into account supply chain congestion across the entire logistics system like at inland distribution points that impact port performance metrics. 

PRPA is continuing to work with key supply chain partners on solutions and we’re confident those partnership commitments will result in overall improved performance essential to the recovery of lost business and the economic impact that represents to Prince Rupert and the surrounding region." -- Katherine Voigt, Manager, Corporate Communications PRPA

The topic of Port Performance and some of those challenges likely will make for some of the narrative to tomorrow's Annual Public Meeting for the Prince Rupert Port Authority.

That event, which is open to the public takes place at the Crest Hotel starting at 5PM

You can review more notes related to the PRPA, the terminals along the waterfront and other stakeholders in the Gateway from our archive page here.