DP World | Containerized dry bulk handling project

Project status
Permit issued

On April 12, 2021, a project permit was issued to DP World (the applicant) to commence handling containerized dry bulk cargoes at its Fraser Surrey Docks (FSD) terminal (1060 Elevator Road, Surrey, BC) by utilizing existing terminal infrastructure. The terminal is located on federal lands and waters managed by the Vancouver Fraser Port Authority.

The project was approved subject to 20 permit conditions which DP World must meet to ensure the project does not result in significant adverse environmental effects.

About the project

DP World proposed to utilize specialized revolving heads on up to three existing gantry cranes in order to facilitate the handling of containerized dry bulk cargoes at their DP World – Fraser Surrey Site. DP World anticipates handling a wide range of containerized dry bulk cargoes, which include, but are not limited to copper concentrate, potash, zinc and lead concentrates. The utilization of the specialized revolving heads will allow cargoes to be handled more efficiently. A mobile dust suppression unit fitted around the rim of the vessel hatch will emit water mist to prevent dust from escaping the hold of the vessel. 

FSD previously received a permit for this Project in 2017 (PER 16-139). However, the terminal did not move forward with the project at that time and the permit has since expired. After acquiring the terminal in 2019, DP World has been considering additional uses for the terminal based on available capacity.

The proposed operations do not require the construction of any new infrastructure on site or additional off-road motorized equipment. The specialized revolving heads are interchangeable with the standard spreader heads and the two types of heads would be manually switched out as necessary.

Project activities and components include 

• Purchasing new revolving heads for the existing container gantry cranes –the new heads would be capable of rotating a specialized container, positioning it directly within the hold of the vessel and opening it to empty the contents
  • The specialized containers are informally referred to as “rotainers” or “rotoboxes” that open on the top rather than on the ends as conventional containers do
  • Existing equipment in the container yard would be used to move the “rotainers” in the same manner as existing container volumes
• Temporarily replacing the standard spreader heads of the gantry cranes used for unloading containers with the specialized revolving heads
• Fitting a mobile dust suppression unit around the rim of the vessel hatch –the unit would emit a vapour wall to prevent dust from escaping the hold of the vessel
  • The mobile dust suppression unit would connect to existing water supply services on site

Resources

April 2021 – Approved Project Permit: DP World | Containerized dry bulk handling
April 2021 – Approved Project and Environmental Review Report: DP World | Containerized dry bulk handling
March 2021 – Public engagement summary and consideration report: DP World | Containerized dry bulk handling
December 2020 – Public engagement notification: DP World | Containerized dry bulk handling
October 2020 – Air Emission Management Plan: DP World | Containerized dry bulk handling
October 2020 – Vancouver Fraser Port Authority Project Permit Application: DP World | Containerized dry bulk handling 
June 2020 – Emergency Response Plan: DP World | Containerized dry bulk handling 
April 2016 – Water and Land Pollution Prevention Plan: DP World | Containerized dry bulk handling project

Contact information