Sustainability: Port Metro Vancouver

Port Metro Vancouver Releases 2013 Sustainability and Financial Reports 

Port Metro Vancouver’s newly-released sustainability and financial reports offer comprehensive summaries of the port’s performance during calendar year 2013.

The 2013 Sustainability Report focuses on the industrial land shortage in the Lower Mainland, the movement of coal, noise in proximity to residential areas, trucking, tanker safety and major port-related infrastructure projects. Among the highlighted achievements: 

• Port Metro Vancouver completed 198 environmental reviews on proposed projects and activities to identify and mitigate effects on land, air and water.
• A 12 percent increase in participation in the EcoAction program, which promotes emission reduction measures by offering discounted harbor rates to shipping lines.
• Participation in more than 500 community engagement events.
• 82 cruise vessels successfully connected to shore power at Canada Place, enabling ships to shut off their diesel powered engines thereby reducing gas emissions by more than 3,000 tons.
• Port Metro Vancouver was named in Aon Hewitt’s Green 30 for the second consecutive year. 

The 2013 Financial Report underscores Port Metro Vancouver’s commitment to financial self-sufficiency and the reinvestment of profits to continually improve port facilities, infrastructure and services for users, as well as to enhance environmental programs and to benefit local communities. Key accomplishments included: 

• Re-affirmation by Standard & Poor’s for the fourth consecutive year of the port authority’s AA credit rating.
• A 12-percent increase in overall consolidated revenue, from $189 million in 2012 to $212 million in 2013.
• Purchase of the former Fraser Wharves auto terminal in Richmond for $56 million.
• Completion of the South Shore Elevated Road Structure, on time and on budget. 

"Port Metro Vancouver is focused on balancing growing demand for trade with the need to protect our environment and maintain the quality of life of our neighbors," said Robin Silvester, the port authority’s president and chief executive officer. "Port-related activities are critical to the local and national economies, and inherently raise a wide variety of issues important to us all. We are dedicated to continued dialogue and collaboration with our customers, supply chain partners, communities, governments and First Nations."