February 3, 2025 | Page 44

SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

CANADA TRADE AND LOGISTICS

Also , our strategic focus is to optimize our port operations by better utilizing our existing infrastructure . In 2025 , we will leverage technology and establish performance indicators to enhance our operational capacity , efficiency and reliability . For example , the Port Dashboard is a metrics-based dashboard featuring real-time monitoring tools for port users and stakeholders , supply chain performance metrics , and maps . In addition , the free Port eHub app provides real-time information about port operations .

We are focused on investing in digital tools , collaboration and data sharing to build a stronger supply chain .

The Port of Vancouver is aiming to establish integrated data management platforms to aggregate information around goods movement .

Q : Information visibility is key to customers and stakeholders . What are some of the technological innovations in place at the Port of Vancouver to improve efficiency and safety ?

A : The common question everyone asks is , “ where is my cargo ?” Rather than planning and praying that everything goes

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The Vancouver Fraser Port Authority is the federal agency mandated to enable trade through the Port of Vancouver — Canada ’ s largest port and North America ’ s most diversified port , moving $ 300 billion in trade annually and connecting Canada with up to 170 countries .

The port authority holds the unique responsibility to effectively manage Canada ’ s trade assets in the port , which is central to its purpose of enabling Canada ’ s trade by being reliable and innovative while protecting the environment .

The port ’ s four container terminals move about half of Canada ’ s total container trade each year ( 3.1 million TEUs in 2023 ), including imports of household goods and specialty foods and exports of commodities such as grain and forestry products .

With extensive on-dock rail connections and direct rail access to key destinations throughout North America , the port ’ s marine cargo terminals are supported by a well-established network of roadways and transload and warehouse facilities .

The port authority ’ s key focus areas are optimizing port operations , strengthening supply chain resilience and building capacity to support Canadian trade .

With ship traffic and cargo volumes growing , the port authority is collaborating with industry and government to enhance the efficiency and fluidity of vessel movements as well and the overall resilience of the maritime supply chain . This work includes implementing Canada ’ s first centralized scheduling system — a transformative tool to manage ship movements in the busiest areas of the port and fully utilize existing capacity — as part of the Active Vessel Traffic Management Program .

Container trade on Canada ’ s west coast is on a long-term growth trajectory and additional capacity will be needed to meet this growth . The port authority continues to progress the Roberts Bank Terminal 2 Project — a generational , prosperity-building marine container terminal . With completion set for the mid-2030s , the project will increase capacity by more than 30 % on Canada ’ s west coast , enabling the efficient and reliable trade of $ 100 billion in goods annually that Canadian consumers and businesses rely on . n

44 Journal of Commerce | February 3 , 2025 www . joc . com