Extreme weather hampers Port Metro Vancouver’s container terminal operations

Over the last two months, much of central and eastern North America has experienced heavy snowfalls and record low temperatures. These extreme weather conditions have had an enormous impact on the movement of goods, affecting railways, terminal operators, and trucking companies alike.

In the Pacific Ocean, heavy weather has delayed vessel arrivals, leading to vessel bunching at West Coast marine terminals and associated surges in cargo volume. The resulting backlog has impacted all aspects of terminal operations, including the processing of container trucks through these facilities.

This situation is highly unusual and demands considerable patience from those affected. However, though these current delays are weather related, they underscore the need for proactive solutions to supply chain challenges. Port Metro Vancouver continues to work with its partners to make improvements and deliver efficient, reliable service to customers.

Transportation infrastructure improvements underway to minimize traffic

Port Metro Vancouver, along with government and industry, is making significant investments in transportation infrastructure to improve the flow of truck traffic to and from Port facilities:

• South Shore Corridor Project: In December 2013, the Stewart Street Elevated Structure opened for daytime use. This $75 million roadway allows vehicles to bypass more than ten at-grade rail crossings, and has alleviated traffic congestion and improved travel time reliability for drivers accessing Centerm and Vanterm container terminals in Burrard Inlet.

• Deltaport Terminal Road and Rail Improvement Project: Port Metro Vancouver is delivering a new overpass on the Roberts Bank Causeway. Scheduled for completion later this year, it will eliminate rail-truck conflict and significantly reduce trucking delays caused by rail switching activity.

In conjunction with the $1.5 billion South Fraser Perimeter Road, which opened in December 2013, and the new Port Mann Bridge, Port Metro Vancouver’s investment in infrastructure is delivering real value to the container drayage sector.

Operational improvements will increase efficiency

Port Metro Vancouver’s Smart Fleet Trucking Strategy aims to improve the efficiency and performance of the trucking sector with the following initiatives:

• GPS Monitoring: In the last year, 50% of container trucks licensed by the Port have been equipped with GPS units, and we expect to reach 100% in 2014. This technology allows the Port to monitor performance in real-time, and to use this data to increase efficiency and inform future infrastructure investments.
   
• GPS Dashboard: Port Metro Vancouver shares information on daytime traffic movement around container terminals with truck operators by providing updates on terminal traffic conditions on our website.
   
• Licensing: Following several months of engagement with trucking stakeholders, and in response to the feedback received, Port Metro Vancouver is set to begin consultation on proposed improvements to the Port’s Truck Licensing System.

Port Metro Vancouver takes the concerns of the drayage sector seriously and is committed to further collaboration with trucking companies and operators in pursuit of effective solutions to current challenges. The following initiatives are currently underway:
 

• Truck Licenses: Port Metro Vancouver has enacted a moratorium on the issuing of new Port licenses while it consults on and transitions to a new licensing system.
   
• Reservation System: Port Metro Vancouver has been researching and assessing the value of a port-wide reservation system. Such a system would enable trucking companies to make, change, and cancel appointments across container terminals, and would help terminal operators to efficiently manage the movement of cargo through their facilities.
   
• Extended Gate Hours: The continued growth of Port Metro Vancouver’s container sector necessitates the extension of truck operations beyond current daytime shifts. Introducing extended gate hours at container terminals will align drayage operations with those of marine and rail sectors, reducing turn times and increasing revenue potential. Discussions are ongoing with supply chain stakeholders to determine how this can be achieved.