Port of Vancouver opens consultations on Deltaport Terminal improvements

Port Metro Vancouver began a public consultation regarding the Deltaport Terminal, Road and Rail Improvement Project. Starting in November and until January 6, 2012 the port authority will be providing opportunities for input from communities, stakeholders and the public through a number of multi-stakeholder meetings, open houses and an online feedback form.

The Deltaport Terminal, Road and Rail Improvement Project is a series of improvements to the existing Deltaport Terminal at Roberts Bank in Delta. As an upgrade to existing infrastructure, Port Metro Vancouver has identified the project as the most efficient and cost-effective way to increase container capacity at Deltaport – by 600,000 TEUs (twenty-foot equivalent unit containers) to 2.4 million TEUs.

The project is seen as having low potential for environmental effects as it would be achieved mostly within the existing terminal, road and rail footprint, with no marine works.

Container traffic through the Gateway is expected to double over the next 10 to 15 years and nearly triple by 2030. Preliminary container traffic projections demonstrate that existing container capacity on BC's West Coast will become constrained as early as 2015, requiring additional capacity.

The project includes the construction of an overpass on the existing Roberts Bank causeway to separate road and rail traffic, the reconfiguration of intermodal yard rail track and the addition of container handling equipment at Deltaport, the addition of rail track within the existing railway corridor and a portion adjacent agricultural land, and road improvements facilitate the movement and control of container trucks.

The estimated total project construction duration from award of contract through to commissioning of major equipment is approximately 2.5 years.

Information on the consultation is available on Port Metro Vancouver's website.

Canada westbound transpacific lines announce general rate increases

Container shipping lines in the Canada Westbound Transpacific Stabilization Agreement (CWTSA) announced rate increases to be implemented in the new year.

For refrigerated cargoes, effective January 15, 2012, rates will be raised on all refrigerated commodities by US$240 per 20' container (TEU), US$300 per 40' container (FEU from all Canadian origin ports and IPI points to all destinations.

For dry cargoes, effective February 1, 2012, the member lines will raise rates on all dry commodities by US$160 per 20' container (TEU), US$200 per 40' container (FEU from all Canadian origin ports and IPI points to all destinations.

CWTSA is a discussion forum of 8 major container shipping lines serving the trade from ports and inland points in Canada to destinations throughout Asia.

The CWTSA Member Lines are:

American President Lines (APL)
COSCO
Evergreen
Hapag Lloyd
Hyundai Merchant Marine
K-Line
Nippon Yusen Kaishen (NYK Line)
Orient Overseas Container Line (OOCL)

Cargo crime tends to increase during holiday periods

Holiday weekends are notorious for high volumes of cargo theft activity, especially at terminals and drop yards where loaded trailers are parked for long periods of time. This amplifies the need for logistics professionals to ensure their security protocols are up to date and in line with industry best practices.

Last year, FreightWatch reported that cargo crime increases by 28% over holiday periods and that Thanksgiving weekend recorded the most cargo theft activity of all holiday periods in the United States (Click Here to see report).

FreightWatch reminds shippers, manufacturers and transportation companies that they must remain aware of the increased security risks during the upcoming Thanksgiving weekend. Long holidays provide provide criminals with excellent opportunities to target, steal and transport goods to their storage locations before the product is even discovered missing.

Additionally, holidays can cause long delays for drivers attempting to deliver loads. These delays will increase the risk to drivers and loads in-transit by leaving them vulnerable for longer periods of time.

FreightWatch recommends that drivers remain vigilant.