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Improvements to Annacis Auto Terminal in Delta will support growing auto sector

Vancouver, B.C: The Vancouver Fraser Port Authority announced today it has reached an agreement with terminal operator WWL Vehicle Services Canada, Ltd. (dba/ WW Solutions) to lead improvements to the Annacis Auto Terminal in Delta. Supported by funding from Transport Canada, the Annacis Auto Terminal Optimization Project will improve the efficiency of the terminal’s operations within the existing footprint, increase its ability to handle a greater volume of automobile imports in the future, and help support climate change resiliency.  

“We are very pleased to partner with WW Solutions on this critical trade-enabling project”, said Jennifer Natland, acting vice president of real estate at the Vancouver Fraser Port Authority. “With nearly 100% of all Asian-manufactured vehicle imports coming through the Port of Vancouver destined for the Canadian market, the Annacis Auto Terminal Optimization Project will help address post-pandemic growth in the auto sector and emerging electric vehicle demand—all within existing land use.”  

Automobile imports have increased in recent years due to consumer demand for hybrid and more fuel-efficient vehicles. The Annacis Auto Terminal and Richmond Auto Terminals are operating at maximum capacity and modifications are needed to sustain existing operations and accommodate growth in demand for auto imports.  

Terminal improvements include:  

• Expanding two existing terminal rail yards  
• Installing electric vehicle charging stations  
• Replacing some terminal buildings with a new vehicle processing facility 

Once complete, the terminal will be able to handle up to 480,000 vehicles annually, ensuring the resiliency of this port sector, while supporting climate change targets with the installation of new electric vehicle charging stations. 

“These investments demonstrate our shared commitment to the Canadian auto market. We are excited to see these improvements come to fruition as they will allow us better serve our great customers,” said John Felitto, president of WWL Vehicle Services Americas. “WW Vehicle Services Canada will work closely with the Vancouver Fraser Port Authority as a strategic partner to ensure that we meet the needs of our customers and our operations.” 

The project will allow the port authority to consolidate the two existing port automobile terminals to a single terminal at the Annacis site and repurpose the Richmond Auto Terminal for other port-related businesses once the project is completed.  

At the same time, and independent from the terminal works listed above, the port authority will undertake separate maintenance works to enhance shoreline protection which will help safeguard the terminal lands from erosion.   

Project benefits at a glance

• Improved capacity of the auto terminal to support Canada’s growing auto sector   
• Support for climate change resiliency by responding to increased demand for electric vehicles and enhancing shoreline protection  
• Increased efficiency of the transportation system by reducing the extent of rail switching and train building required within the existing yard, leading to smoother yard operations and increased capacity    
• Support further economic development by allowing for auto terminal expansion and freeing up valuable trade-enabling industrial land to be repurposed in support of other port activities  

In the coming months the port authority will engage tenants, local municipalities, and local Indigenous groups to better understand their interests as they relate to this project. 

Learn more about the Annacis Auto Terminal Optimization Project at portvancouver.com/annacisautoterminal.  

Background

• This project was identified in the Greater Vancouver Gateway 2030 strategy and received funding from the National Trade Corridors Fund in 2019 
• The project is jointly funded by Transport Canada and the Vancouver Fraser Port Authority  

Media contact:

Danielle Jang 
Manager, strategic communications 
[email protected]  
 

About the Vancouver Fraser Port Authority and the Port of Vancouver

The Vancouver Fraser Port Authority is the federal agency responsible for the stewardship of the Port of Vancouver. Like all Canada Port Authorities, we are accountable to the federal minister of transport, and operate pursuant to the Canada Marine Act with a mandate to enable Canada’s trade through the Port of Vancouver, while protecting the environment and considering local communities. The port authority is structured as a non-share corporation, is financially self-sufficient and does not rely on tax dollars for operations. Our revenues come from port terminals and tenants who lease port lands, and from port users who pay various fees such as harbour dues. Profits are reinvested in port infrastructure. The port authority has control over the use of port land and water, which includes more than 16,000 hectares of water, over 1,500 hectares of land, and approximately 350 kilometres of shoreline. Located on the southwest coast of British Columbia in Canada, the Port of Vancouver extends from Roberts Bank and the Fraser River up to and including Burrard Inlet, bordering 16 municipalities and intersecting the traditional territories and treaty lands of several Coast Salish First Nations. The Port of Vancouver is Canada’s largest port, and the third largest in North America by tonnes of cargo. Enabling the trade of approximately $240 billion in goods with more than 170 countries, port activities sustain 115,300 jobs, $7 billion in wages, and $11.9 billion in GDP across Canada. 

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