The Prince Rupert Port Authority and Maher Terminals Inc. of Berkeley Heights, N.J., have reached agreement in principle to create a new container terminal at the northern Canadian port.
The new Prince Rupert Container Terminal will be built on the site of the mixed-use 50-acre Fairview Terminal. When it in late 2006, the container terminal will initially have an annual capacity of 400,000 TEUs.

Frans vanRiemsdyk, senior vice president sales and marketing, Maher Terminals Inc., said simply, “It just seems to be a natural.” According to vanRiemsdyk, “We’ve already established a small office there.” He said his company will take over operation of Fairview Terminal, currently operated by P&O Ports, on Jan. 1, 2005. According to vanRiemsdyk, Maher would “initially assume the breakbulk operation,” adding, “at a certain point, we will balance the breakbulk handling with the need to progress on construction.”
VanRiemsdyk noted, “The rail side is very, very underutilized. Already in place and ready to roll.” He also cited close cooperation of CN and their presence at Prince Rupert for the announcement.

Canadian National’s North Line from Prince Rupert connects with the railroad’s mainline near Yellowhead Pass on the Alberta border. It is built with heavy 136-lb continuous welded steel to full mainline standard but currently handles just a handful of trains per day. CN is spending $15 million Cdn (US$11 million) to raise clearances at 12 tunnels and a few bridges to handle double-stack containers and for additional trackage on dock in the intermodal yard. CN spokesman Mark Hallman said, “Given (rail) congestion on the West Coast, Prince Rupert’s time has come.”

The Province of British Columbia has been an active supporter and has committed $17.2 million Cdn (US$13 million) toward its development.

Prince Rupert Port Authority president and CEO Don Krusel termed the new terminal “the only pure intermodal terminal” on the West Coast designed solely for transshipment between water and rail. He termed the route “the Midwest Express.” He noted that as there was little cargo to or from the local area, there would be very little truck traffic, which allows for greater efficiencies.

A new dock face built on steel pilings will be added in front of the existing dock to extend it out 60 feet into deeper water to give the container terminal a 55-foot low low water draft alongside. This will permit two of the largest container ships afloat to berth simultaneously. Sections of the terminal also need to be strengthened to permit heavy container handling equipment.

Shaun Stevenson, PRPA manager of business development, said dock improvements which will be primarily for account of the port authority will cost about $100 million Cdn (US$75 million). The total cost of the project is expected to be $150 – $200 million Cdn (US$100 – $150 million).

At least three super post-Panamax container cranes will be installed. Standing more than 300 feet tall, they will be by far the tallest structures in the small city.

Maher and the PRPA already plan phase 2 — a 150-acre extension southward that would push terminal capacity up to 1.2 million TEUs per year, which could be in place by 2009.