Facebook Twitter Twitter    Archive | www.aapa-ports.org May 5, 2015
   

Facility Development: Canada, Cleveland, Metro Vancouver (BC)

Print Print this Article | Send to Colleague

Canadian Government Launches new Ports Asset Transfer Program

Canadian Transport Minister Lisa Raitt on April 24 announced a new Government of Canada program to facilitate the transfer of 50 Transport Canada-owned port facilities to "other federal agencies, provincial and municipal governments, aboriginal communities and other interested parties."

The Ports Asset Transfer Program (PATP) includes engagement, sale and divestiture phases. If a port facility does not sell, it will be offered for divestiture.

In detail, the new program:
  • Sets specific timelines for negotiations and transactions with interested parties during the sales and divestiture phases.
  • Establishes broader criteria to allow new port operators to expand or improve ports.
  • Offers greater flexibility for continued operations or possible alternate uses.
  • Allows Canada Port Authorities to acquire divested ports.
Since 1996, through its previous Port Divestiture Program, the federal government has divested 499 ports, resulting, says Transport Canada, in savings to Canadian taxpayers of more than C$470 million.

"Our government understands the importance of these port facilities to the transportation needs and economic sustainability of their local communities," said Ms. Raitt. "The Ports Asset Transfer Program offers an excellent opportunity for interested parties to acquire a port facility and to develop it to take advantage of local business, community development and tourism opportunities."

Cleveland: Port Authority Board Approves Funds for New Cranes and Warehouse Construction 

The board of directors for the Cleveland-Cuyahoga County Port Authority on April 22 approved $7.9 million in infrastructure improvements, funded fully through grants and forgivable loans that include construction of a new warehouse and the purchase of new cranes and other equipment to support the Cleveland-Europe Express liner shipping service.

Launched last year, the liner service is operated by the Spliethoff Group under an agreement with the port authority. In March, the port authority approved a new agreement with Spliethoff that doubles service frequency to twice monthly (Advisory, April 14, 2015). 

"Business at the port is as strong as we have seen in many years, and we expect it to keep growing," said Port President Will Friedman. "These funds will allow us to move forward with strategic investments to make the Port of Cleveland and the Cleveland – Europe Express more attractive, while supporting our commitment to green, sustainable practices. We are grateful to our partners at the Northeast Ohio Areawide Coordinating Agency (NOACA) and the State of Ohio for their support." 

Specifically approved was the port’s acceptance of a $4.9 million Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality (CMAQ) grant awarded through NOACA for federal funds flowing through the Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) for the purchase of two new mobile harbor cranes. Expected to be in service by the end of 2015, the new cranes, according to the port authority, will be significantly faster, more energy efficient, and more eco-friendly than the 1970s vintage cranes now in service. 

The board also approved was the port authority’s acceptance of a forgivable $3 million State of Ohio Logistics and Distribution Stimulus loan (LDS). The LDS loan will provide the final dollars needed to pay for the warehouse and equipment, all of which are expected to be in place later this year. 

"The Board fully supports these strategic investments to support our maritime operations," said Port Authority Board Chair Chris Ronayne. "We’re excited by the great momentum we experiencing on our docks." 

Port Metro Vancouver Files Environmental Impact Statement for Planned Container Terminal

Port Metro Vancouver has submitted a comprehensive Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the Roberts Bank Terminal 2 Project to the Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency. 

The proposed project entails the development and construction of a three-berth deep-sea container terminal with throughput capacity of 2.4 million TEUs annually adjacent to the existing terminals at Roberts Bank in Delta (BC). Other major project components include widening the Roberts Bank causeway to accommodate road and rail infrastructure and expanding the Roberts Bank tug basin to accommodate the existing and an additional tug boat contractor.

"The region is running out of room to manage growing Canadian trade with Asia," said Robin Silvester, the port authority’s president and chief executive officer. "The Roberts Bank Terminal 2 Project will ensure demand can be met while providing important economic benefits to B.C. and Canada. We look forward to the upcoming review of our environmental assessment by an independent panel."

The EIS documents four years of  scientific study and consultation with regulators, Aboriginal groups, local government and the public to assess the potential environmental, economic, social, heritage and health effects of the terminal’s construction and operation. The assessment concludes that with the implementation of mitigation, are not expected to significantly affect the environment. The EIS will now become the subject of a federal environmental assessment, including a review by an independent review panel.

According to the port authority, subject to environmental permits and approvals and a final investment decision, construction could begin in 2018 and would take approximately five-and-a-half years to complete. The project would be funded entirely by Port Metro Vancouver and the private sector at no cost to tax payers. The port authority estimates the project will create 12,700 person-years of employment during construction and 12,400 full-time jobs on an ongoing basis once operational. 
 

Share Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on LinkedIn