| Industry News - BC Ports |
Rail Freight Services Review Set to Begin
August 11, 2008 19:00:00
Transport Canada has released the final terms of reference for the rail freight service review. The review will examine the services offered by CN and CPR to Canadian shippers and customers. A request for proposals (RFP) has been issued for two of the key projects to be completed in the first stage of the review. The first project will focus on describing key elements of the logistics chain and conducting a quantitative analysis of the railways' ability to fulfill shipping orders and to provide consistent transit times in moving traffic from origin to destination. The second project will examine operating practices within the rail-based logistics system and identify those practices that adversely affect service to shippers.
The scope of the review will include Canada's rail-based logistics chain (including shippers, terminal operators, ports and vessels). The review will focus on service provided to Canadian shippers and customers by CN and CPR within Canada, including to and from ports and border crossings. View Full Media Release (http://www.tc.gc.ca/mediaroom/releases/nat/2008/08-h190e.htm).
|
Port Metro Vancouver Releases Mid Year Stats
August 07, 2008 19:00:00
Port Metro Vancouver mid-year cargo statistics show significant growth in coal and potash exports, along with positive increases in both import and export container volumes. Cruise passenger volumes remained relatively stable, while overall tonnage was down slightly from the same period in 2007. View Full Release (http://www.vfpa.ca/article/08-08-08/coal_potash_and_containers_are_bright_spots_in_port_metro_vancouver_2008_mid-year_stats.aspx).
|
Prince Rupert Volumes Up
July 24, 2008 04:44:40
The first six months of 2008 saw 42,555 TEUs (435,550 tonnes) move through the Fairview Container Terminal, an average of 7,093 TEUs (20-foot equivalent units) per month. Outbound containers accounted for nearly 50% of the throughput, of which 39% were fully laden for export to Asia.
Weekly container volumes through Prince Rupert have been steadily increasing since early April, from 1,232 TEUs to a record of 2,631 TEUs, compared to the North American West Coast port trend of declines in container imports.
The Port of Prince Rupert's overall performance continues to improve as well. Total volume throughput from January to June 2008 was 5,517,337 tonnes, up 11% compared to 5,021,819 for the first six months of 2007. The container volume of 435,550 tonnes and Ridley Terminals' 2,741,906 tonnes (+8.5%) led the increase in throughput, while product through Prince Rupert Grain decreased 8.5% from 2,607,407 to 2,170,643 tonnes.
|
| Industry News - Environment |
Marine Shore Power Program Announced
August 06, 2008 19:00:00
The Honourable Lawrence Cannon, Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities has announced an allocation of $6 million over four years to the Marine Shore Power Program under the ecoTransport Strategy. The Program supports cost-shared projects to help Canadian port authorities and terminal operators to purchase equipment such as the special transformers needed to power ships at docking facilities. Port Metro Vancouver is expected to make application under this grant to bring shore power capability to the Canada Place cruise ship terminal. View Media Release (http://www.tc.gc.ca/mediaroom/releases/nat/2008/08-h187e.htm).
|
Environment Canada Adds Officers
July 24, 2008 05:05:04
The Environment Minister, the Honourable John Baird, announced that 42 environment officers have been added to its enforcement team. The officers were hired and trained as part of the Budget 2007 commitment of $22 million to increase the number of on-the-ground enforcement officers and ensure polluters, smugglers and poachers are held accountable for violations of environmental laws.
The officers graduating today will be responsible for monitoring industrial pollution and responding to environmental disasters such as oil spills. Environment Canada's enforcement personnel conduct inspections and investigate potential offences under a number of Acts and Regulations including the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999; theSpecies at Risk Act (SARA); the pollution provisions of Canada's Fisheries Act; the Migratory Birds Act and Regulation; and the Wild Animal and Plant Protection and Regulation of International and Interprovincial Trade Act (WAPPRIITA). They help ensure that companies, government employees and the general public comply with legislation and regulations that protect Canada's environment. Full Media Release (http://www.ec.gc.ca/default.asp?lang=En n=714D9AAE-1 news=C3B42CC9-89C5-49ED-ACEF-585572B1BDC6).
|
GHG Cap and Trade Proposal
July 24, 2008 04:19:48
The partners of the Western Climate Initiative (WCI) released a draft design today for a regional cap-and-trade program to reduce the greenhouse gases that cause global warming. The WCI is the largest climate collaborative in North America representing approximately 73 percent of the Canadian economy and 20 percent of the US economy.
The recommended design contains costs through emission trading, allowance banking, and inclusion of an offsets component that will provide opportunities to obtain low-cost emission reductions. Further, the WCI design is intended to mitigate the economic impact on consumers, and the costs passed onto consumers, through design features such as allowance distribution and the use of offsets.
Full Media Release (http://www2.news.gov.bc.ca/news_releases_2005-2009/2008OTP0193-001153.htm).
|
| Industry News - General |
ISPM No.15 for Canada/US Shipments
July 28, 2008 19:00:00
Please note that the CFIA is moving forward with consultations on the proposed removal of the exemption of the International Standard for Phytosanitary Measures (ISPM) No. 15 on wood packaging material moving between Canada and the U.S. The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) and U.S. Department of Agriculture, Animal Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) are developing a strategy which would involve a multi-year phase-in period for an eventual full implementation of the International Standard for Phytosanitary Measures (ISPM) No. 15 for wood packaging material (WPM) moving between the two countries. Ultimately, all WPM moving between Canada and the United States would be required to be treated in accordance with the ISPM No. 15 standard and marked with an officially approved mark, as is the case for WPM moving in international trade.
Industry, stakeholders, exporters, importers, brokers, wood packaging manufacturers and interest groups are encouraged to provide comments on this proposed strategy to CFIA within the next 90 days.
To view the proposed implementation plan, please consult the following Web site at: http://www.inspection.gc.ca/english/plaveg/for/cwpc/consulte.shtml (http://www.inspection.gc.ca/english/plaveg/for/cwpc/consulte.shtml)
We encourage you to send your comments, questions or concerns on this matter by October 22, 2008 through a feedback form available on the following Web site: http://www.inspection.gc.ca/english/tools/feedback/consult/ispmconsule.shtml (http://www.inspection.gc.ca/english/tools/feedback/consult/ispmconsule.shtml) The implementation of ISPM No.15 standard for WPM on such material moving between Canada and the U.S. would enhance protection of forests against pests of quarantine concern, and would allow for more opportunities for the use of wood packaging in the international marketplace, where ISPM No.15 is in place. The proposed phase-in period is expected to allow sufficient time, for all concerned, to take the necessary steps to comply accordingly.
|
COS Board Appointments
July 11, 2008 08:56:51
The Chamber of Shipping (COS) Board of Directors have appointed Richard Chappell of Weyerhaueser Canada/Westwood Shipping Lines as Chairman of the Board and Bruce Rothdram of Empire Shipping Agency as Vice Chairman following the resignation of Stephen Brown who will begin his transition to COS President beginning September 2, 2008.
With a vacancy left on the Board, David Bedwell, Executive Vice President of China Ocean Shipping Canada (COSCO) was invited and has accepted the appointment as COS Director for the remainder of the year.
|
| Industry News - Navigation and Pilotage |
Canada Extends Northern Jurisdiction
August 27, 2008 05:12:36
The Prime Minister Stephen Harper has announced that the Government of Canada will extend its jurisdiction in the Arctic by doubling the range at which Canadian environmental laws and shipping regulations will be enforced.
The Prime Minister announced that his government will be introducing changes to the Arctic Waters Pollution Prevention Act as part of its fall legislative agenda. Currently the Act allows the Canadian Government to regulate all shipping in zones up to 100 nautical miles from the nearest Canadian land in order to guard against pollution of the region’s marine and coastal environments. Under the proposed new law, this jurisdiction will be extended to 200 nautical miles.
In addition the Prime Minister announced that his government will establish new regulations under the Canada Shipping Act, 2001 that will require mandatory reporting from all ships destined for Arctic waters within the same 200 nautical mile limit.
|
| Industry News - Rail |
Rail Services Review Consultant Named
August 29, 2008 07:57:31
The Honourable Lawrence Cannon, Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities announced the selection of QGI to conduct the first two projects for the rail freight service review, following a request for proposals (RFP) issued July 24, 2008.
QGI is a consulting company from Edmonton, Alberta, that offers a range of consulting and technology services to private sector and government clients. It is a sister company of Quorum Corporation, which is under contract to the federal government as the Grain Monitor.
View News Release (http://www.tc.gc.ca/mediaroom/releases/nat/2008/08-h197e.htm).
|