Invite a port speaker to lunch and enjoy a new view of Vancouver's waterfront. The Port of VAncouver is an important part of VAncouver's history, economy, and future. Invite one of our representatives to your next business meeting, luncheon or community event and we'll tell you about what's going on behind all those tugs and terminals, ships and cargo.

To arrange for a port representative to speak at your next function please call our speakers bureau at 604.665.9177 or email Kerri Buschel.

Some of our topics include:

History of the Port

Since 1864 when the barque, Ellen Lewis carried a load of fence pickets and lumber to Australia, the Port of Vancouver has been shipping cargo to many of the world's nations. This presentation will chart the evolution of the port and includes colourful stories of early pioneers who settled and worked in Burrard Inlet.

The Forgotten Industry

It's worth a billion dollars a year. It employs 4,000 people in British Columbia alone. Yet it's taken for granted. However, the Canadian coal industry is still big business. A perspective from the view of Westshore Terminals, Canada's premier mover of export coal.

The Coal Miracle

Mother nature has stacked very few things in favour of the Canadian coal industry. Typical mines are over 1,000 kilometres from tidewater, separated by some of the most rugged terrain in the world. Yet, Canada remains a major player on the world coal export scene. A perspective from Westshore Terminals, Canada's premier coal export facility on how Canada's defies nature to remain successful.

Future of the Port

The Port of Vancouver is Canada's largest port with more than 20 terminals shipping some 72 million tonnes of cargo. Continued growth in throughput will be driven by Vancouver's strategic location, continuing improvements to the Canadian rail transportation network, increased Canadian trade with Pacific Rim economies and worldwide demand for western Canadian resources such as lumber, wheat, coal and potash. Hear about some of the port's challenges that increased growth and expansion brings.

General Port Overview

The Port of Vancouver encompasses more than 276 kilometres of coastline, including Burrard Inlet and Roberts Bank in the outer harbour. Hear all about Canada's largest port - where we are, who we are, and what we do. Our four main business sectors of bulk cargo, general cargo, containerized cargo and cruise will all be discussed.

Issues Impacting Vessel Operations

More than 3,000 ships call on Port Vancouver terminals each year. Ship's masters want to discharge and pick up cargo as quickly as possible. Congestion at terminals, environmental concerns such as marine chemicals and discharge of ballast water are monitored by our Harbour Master's department. Other key issues affecting the port are the use of technology to enhance security and improving facilities to respond to growth.

Alaska: The Last Frontier

Port Vancouver is home-port to the Alaska cruise market, the world's third most popular cruise vacation. The Port welcomes more than one million cruise passengers each season who sail from Vancouver to Alaska's magnificent fjords and sounds. Each cruise ship that passes through the Port of Vancouver leaves $1.5 million in economic benefits.

Flora and Fauna of the Burrard Inlet

Burrard Inlet is home to an amazing array of plants and animals - both above and below the water. There are a whole lot more in both species and numbers than you would ever imagine in an urban setting like Vancouver and Environmental Services would be happy to tell you about it.

The Environmental Management System of the Vancouver Port Authority

The Vancouver Port Authority is committed to protecting the environment. This seminar will explain the formal process of Environmental Management including environmental audits, policies, assessment, monitoring and reporting. Includes case histories.

Burrard Inlet Environmental Projects

The VPA has established a number of projects aimed at protecting and caring for the precious ecosystems in Burrard Inlet. Enhancements such as underwater benches, artificial reefs and refuge areas have all been created in an effort to preserve and diversify the various species of the inlet. Environmental Services will explain these and other mitigation and compensation projects currently underway.