Vancouver: The Government of Canada and the Vancouver Port Authority (VPA) today commissioned gamma ray equipment, which will create a smart border by scanning for contraband in containers passing through the Port of Vancouver. The new mobile technology, designed to complement additional manual inspections, can safely and non-intrusively inspect containers at the rate of one per minute.

The equipment, purchased by the VPA for $2.5 million, will be operated by local Canada Customs and Revenue Agency inspection officers at the three container terminals, Deltaport, Centerm and Vanterm. The Port of Vancouver becomes the first Canadian port to use this technology.

"Canada Customs is committed to ensuring the safety and security of cargo entering and leaving the country," said Blake Delgaty, CCRA's Regional Customs Director. "The container screening equipment will complement our existing technology and significantly enhance our abilities to protect the border and to facilitate low-risk trade here in Vancouver."

"The continued free flow of goods through our port is vital to the Canadian economy. In total, activities at the Port of Vancouver generate 62,000 jobs and produce $1.3 billion in wages and $1.6 billion in GDP," said David Stowe, Chairman, Vancouver Port Authority.

"With more than one million containers passing through our port each year, this technology will further enhance our port as a secure and expeditious place for business," said Captain Gordon Houston, President and Chief Executive Officer, Vancouver Port Authority. "It is our hope the new technology will now set the stage for the electronic bonding and pre-clearance of U.S.-destined cargo through our port."

The new technology is safe, secure and fast. With the assistance of gamma ray scanning, operators view radiographic images of containerized goods on a computer to quickly and easily identify hidden compartments associated with the transportation of stolen or smuggled goods. They are then able to determine if commercial cargo is consistent with the declared manifest. Data can then be saved, transmitted and shared with other agencies responsible for cargo verification. Once scanned, the containers are sealed and tracked to their final destination.

The Port of Vancouver is Canada's largest and most diversified port, trading more than $29 billion in goods with more than 90 nations. In 2000, a record 76.6 million tonnes of cargo were shipped through the Port of Vancouver.

For more information, please contact:

Anne McMullin,
Director, Corporate Communications and Public Affairs
Vancouver Port Authority
(604) 665-9069 (office)
(604) 665-9073 (fax)
(604) 218-1403 (cellular)
anne.mcmullin@portvancouver.com

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