Port of Vancouver operations update

December 7, 2021

To Port of Vancouver’s valued customers and stakeholders,

Cool temperatures and snow are forecast for Friday in numerous regions across southwestern B.C.. Some evacuation orders for communities impacted by flooding have been rescinded.

Rail operations: CP and CN mainlines between Vancouver and Kamloops are fully operational. Rail traffic is transiting eastbound and westbound through the Fraser Canyon corridor under directional arrangements between CP and CN. Enhanced track inspections and maintenance activities are ongoing and low-speed restrictions remain in place.

Port of Vancouver rail production (December 7):

  • Grain unloads:  545
  • Container terminal rail production (last seven days):
    • Dec 7 = 45,418 ft
    • Dec 6 = 39,928 ft
    • Dec 5 = 23,670 ft
    • Dec 4 = 27,805 ft
    • Dec 3 = 20,731 ft
    • Dec 2 = 16,100 ft
    • Dec 1 = 8,482 ft
  • Container import on-dock footage:  347,790 ft

Truck operations: Restored highway routes include detours, intermittent closures and essential traffic-only restrictions. Progress continues on the reconstruction and repairs to major roadways across the region.

Port of Vancouver truck activity (December 7):

  • Container truck reservations:  1,726 (excludes Fraser Surrey)

Marine operations: Demand for anchorages continues to exceed capacity. Anchorages are assigned in a manner that ensures fluidity across all ship types and maintains essential services. Vessels in port can be viewed on the home page of the PortVan eHub app by selecting “Vessels in Port”.

Port of Vancouver anchorage occupation (December 7):

  • Vancouver Fraser Port Authority (English Bay, Inner Habour, Indian Arm):  85%
  • Southern Gulf Islands:  88%

The provincial state of emergency declared by the British Columbia Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General has been extended to December 14, 2021.

 An initiative is being undertaken to provide additional container storage capacity to ease supply chain constraints and bottlenecks in the Lower Mainland areas exacerbated by extreme weather disruptions. The project includes preparation of a 40-acre site for the temporary handling and storage of empty containers. Work to prepare the site for storage services and contract an operator will occur over the coming weeks.

We will continue to monitor the situation and keep you informed on any new developments as they arise.

Resources:

  • Port import rail on-dock footage summary: Import Rail On-dock Footage (updated daily Monday-Friday)
  • PortVan eHub app: access real-time insights into Port of Vancouver operations via the port authority’s mobile app eHub.  Download from the port authority’s website (eHub) or through the App Store (search for “PortVan eHub” or “Port of Vancouver”)
  • Port dashboard: view updates on import rail performance, truck terminal turn times, and gateway vessel on-time performance through the port authority’s website (Performance Metrics).
  • Port operations updates: Operations Updates
  • State of Emergency Declaration:  State of Emergency Declaration (issued November 17, 2021)
  • State of Emergency Extension: State of Emergency Extension (issued November 20, 2021)
  • Government of Canada storage project news release: Supply Chain Container Storage Project

Please feel free to forward this update within your organization.

Thank you for your continued support of the Port of Vancouver.