Port of Vancouver Discussion

[casper]

Originally Posted by djmk

Vancouver has 62% of the passengers per ship than Seattle. Either Vancouver is getting significantly smaller ships or same size ships with significantly less people

I don't know if it is still the case. Several years ago someone in the industry told me that Vancouver based cruses are more popular with European than Seattle. For Americans it tends to attract an older client base.

Many of the sailing out of Vancouver are 14 day round trip (also sold as a 7 day one way). Europeans have longer vacations.

Many of the Seattle trips are 7 day round trip. Better fit for working families in the US that can't get away for longer.

[officedweller]

The ships on the Alaska run (whether Seattle or Vancouver) are the older ones, aren't they?
I don't think either port gets the mega ships like the one shown below.


https://cruisefever.net/royal-caribbean-ships-newest-to-oldest/

[madog222]

Originally Posted by officedweller

The ships on the Alaska run (whether Seattle or Vancouver) are the older ones, aren't they?
I don't think either port gets the mega ships like the one shown below.

Newer big ships do do Alaska, just not the massive Oasis class pictured on the left in that photo.
Royal Caribbean, Norwegian, Princess, and Celebrity all run ships around the size of the Freedom class pictured on the right.

[EnvisionSaintJohn]

Originally Posted by C3YVR

Many of the ships Vancouver gets are smaller but attract the luxury segment of the market. Pre/post passengers will stay longer and spend more, this partially explains why Vancouver has a luxury retail district and Seattle doesn't.

I've heard the smaller the ship is the more expensive the cruise is (generally).

I find that interesting, because if I was ever going to spend an outlandish sum on a single vacation on a boat, I'd want it to be on one of the biggest ships in the world (like Wonder of the Seas above).

[officedweller]

Anyone know why/who this is in the harbour?

Pic by me yesterday.

[aberdeen5698]

Originally Posted by officedweller

Anyone know why/who this is in the harbour?

Google is your friend.

Bridgemans welcomes Saga X after major refit and arrival in Canada

Bridgemans has announced the arrival of Saga X, the company’s second Canadian floatel and its most advanced refit to date. Over four months, the vessel underwent a complete rebuild of all cabins, common areas, and onboard systems, incorporating extensive client feedback to provide modern, comfortable workforce accommodation. As part of Bridgemans’ Clean Oceans program, Saga X is now equipped with shore-power capability, industrial heat pumps to eliminate diesel use while alongside, upgraded sewage treatment, advanced water-making and filtration systems, and a comprehensive waste-management program to reduce and recycle waste.

Apparently this ship is used to provide housing on demand for companies who need that kind of thing. For example, big construction projects.

[madog222]

I take it that's Woodfibre LNG's second floatel which they were approved for earlier this month.

[officedweller]

Thanks!
Googled the name but didn't see the news release about a 2nd one.

[jollyburger]

Roberts Bank Terminal 2 is advancing

The teams will now take part in the request for proposal phase, which has a May 2026 deadline for submission.

The shortlisted teams were selected following a thorough review of submissions received under the request for qualifications issued in July as part of the progressive design-build process.

“Each team demonstrated their strong record of collaborative, large-scale infrastructure delivery in marine environments with similar technical, logistical, environmental, and regulatory requirements to Roberts Bank Terminal 2, as well as their experience working with First Nations,” a release reads.

The contract includes the delivery of an approximately 100-hectare marine landmass, 35-hectare widened causeway, 1,300-metre wharf structure and berth pocket and expanded tug basin.

It also includes the construction of a marine terminal fish passage to support juvenile salmon migration, and the civil works for onsite habitat enhancement and the South Arm Jetty Tidal Marsh Project.

The port authority emphasizes the Roberts Bank Terminal 2 is a project that will be built by Canadians, for Canadians.

The preferred team will be selected in summer 2026 and will partner with the port authority and First Nations to source Canadian products such as aggregates, steel, concrete and lumber.

Construction planning and early works is set to take place from 2026 to 2028, with construction starting in 2028 and terminal operations in the mid-2030s

https://canada.constructconnect.com/joc/...sted-for-roberts-bank-terminal-2-project

[SFUVancouver]

Excellent to see. Granted, they are only now proceeding to the RFP stage, but an RFQ process was absolutely necessary for something of this scale and significance. Thanks for the link.

[svlt]

Originally Posted by SFUVancouver

Excellent to see. Granted, they are only now proceeding to the RFP stage, but an RFQ process was absolutely necessary for something of this scale and significance. Thanks for the link.

Very good news on this front. Hoping DP4 has a shot of further expanding this port.

[jollyburger]

Originally Posted by svlt

Very good news on this front. Hoping DP4 has a shot of further expanding this port.

Sounds like unless it's expedited they'll wait for federal approval in 2029-2030

[jollyburger]

Saskatchewan firm's plan to export through Washington state instead of B.C. has David Eby fuming

The company said it had been in contact with the relevant federal authorities all along and the lines of communication remained open. It won’t make the final investment decision on the terminal until 2027.

However, the decision to go with Longview was not lightly taken, according to company’s chief commercial officer, Chris Reynolds. He told the Globe and Mail that Nutrien weighed 30 factors including rail rates and the cost of construction. The site in Washington “came out on top” every time.

Longview was able to offer the company exclusive access to an unused berth at the Columbia River terminal, one formerly used for grain shipments. Nutrien has an established relationship in the U.S. Pacific Northwest as it already ships potash out of nearby Portland.

Other factors cited by the company in making its decision were congestion and transportation bottlenecks on the Canadian side of the border. Nutrien also noted recent labour disruptions at B.C. ports. Longview, by comparison, was seen as more efficient and reliable.

Transportation rates. Access to the port. Labour relations.

https://vancouversun.com/opinion/columni...on-state-not-bc-premier-david-eby-fuming

[mcj]

Originally Posted by jollyburger

https://vancouversun.com/opinion/columni...on-state-not-bc-premier-david-eby-fuming

"Transportation Bottlenecks" yeah like how railways are still single tracked for most of BC with ever increasing port demand.

[Zepfancouver]

Originally Posted by officedweller

Anyone know why/who this is in the harbour?

Pic by me yesterday.

Originally Posted by madog222

I take it that's Woodfibre LNG's second floatel which they were approved for earlier this month.

Saga X is shedueled to leave Vancouver Harbour tomorrow morning 6 am, heading to Squamish.
Edit: Update on departure time, 7am

• Video Link

[casper]

Did not see this posted anywhere. The Salish Sea terminal is coming along by the looks of it. It is a cargo container terminal focused on move goods local (on barges). Good fit given the cargo container handling infrastructure that was recently added in Nanaimo....

DP World on track for mid-2026 launch of short-sea shipping facility in Vancouver

New CAD$22 million “Salish Sea Gateway” facility aims to shift freight from truck-and-ferry movements to a dedicated marine service linking Vancouver Island and the Lower Mainland

directly lowering greenhouse gas emissions and easing congestion along key regional corridors. It will also provide greater reliability for importers, exporters, and domestic shippers by sidestepping seasonal trucking constraints and traffic bottlenecks.

Once operational, the facility will significantly strengthen Vancouver Island’s access to North American road and rail networks and global ocean carriers. In combination with the Duke Point Terminal expansion in Nanaimo, the Salish Sea Gateway will unlock new feeder-service opportunities through the Lower Mainland – supporting trade growth, manufacturing investment, and long-term economic development across coastal British Columbia.

Reference: https://www.dpworld.com/en/canada/news/latest-news/dpw-salish-sea-gateway

[jollyburger]

Originally Posted by casper

Did not see this posted anywhere. The Salish Sea terminal is coming along by the looks of it. It is a cargo container terminal focused on move goods local (on barges). Good fit given the cargo container handling infrastructure that was recently added in Nanaimo....



Reference: https://www.dpworld.com/en/canada/news/latest-news/dpw-salish-sea-gateway

The Vancouver terminal is at 855 Centennial Road near the Rogers Sugar building.

https://iaac-aeic.gc.ca/050/evaluations/proj/89470?culture=en-CA

[madog222]

At the site of the former (Great Northern?) rail barge ramp, in line with Campbell Ave.

[officedweller]

Originally Posted by jollyburger

The Vancouver terminal is at 855 Centennial Road near the Rogers Sugar building.

https://iaac-aeic.gc.ca/050/evaluations/proj/89470?culture=en-CA

The proposed project

DP World Canada Inc. proposes to develop a short-sea shipping facility at 855 Centennial Road, Vancouver, B.C. This facility would provide services for shipping container movements on barges over short distances between the Lower Mainland to Vancouver Island and between regional deep-sea terminals and handling facilities. The Applicant expects the Project to result in a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions (by reducing truck traffic) and improved supply chain stability.

The Project would consist of the following:

• Demolition of two existing sheds, removal of approximately 11 light standards and decommissioning of approximately 11 monitoring wells
• Removal of approximately seven existing derelict creosote fender piles
• Installation of approximately 16 1,219-millimetre diameter steep pipe piles for berthing and mooring along with their fenders and bollards
• Upgrades to the yard, including driveway improvements, site grading, surfacing, and security fencing
• Installation of approximately two high-mast light towers
• Installation of electrical, communication, and sanitary services
• Construction of concrete foundations and installation of a modular site security kiosk and site office including a lunchroom and washroom

A diesel mobile crane would be procured for the facility to load and unload barges. Reach stackers would be used to move the shipping containers to and from the container storage area and load or unload trucks for local distribution.

Construction is anticipated to start summer 2025 and take approximately seven months to complete. Construction will occur during regular work hours.

https://iaac-aeic.gc.ca/050/evaluations/proj/89470?culture=en-CA


https://www.google.com/maps/place/855+Ce...I2MDEwNy4wIKXMDSoKLDEwMDc5MjA2OUgBUAM%3D

[jollyburger]

Originally Posted by madog222

At the site of the former (Great Northern?) rail barge ramp, in line with Campbell Ave.

It was Great Northern and BC Packers. Seems like it was called the NHB Fishermans Wharf

https://searcharchives.vancouver.ca/vancouver-harbour-british-columbia-1960

I guess Great Northern used the switch from Raymur. CP was along the Waterfront and Canadian National used the tunnel to access the waterfront (?)

Some guy just did a history of the Gore Avenue wharf/waterfront

http://ralphdrew.ca/articles/History_of_Gore_Avenue_Wharf.pdf