by Canadian Sailings | Oct 18, 2018 | Bruce Striegler, Business and Economy, Gateways and Corridors, Other, Supply Chain and Logistics
By R. Bruce Striegler
It was only a few years ago when many in Canada thought a huge wave of global LNG activity would soon crash over the shores of British Columbia. From an original list of more than 15 proposed multi-billion dollar projects in the Province, only one remains a possibility today. The rich Asian market has been glutted since 2015, following a massive development program across the region which began in 2000. But a policy shift to favour consumption of natural gas in China this year and strong economic growth across Asia has pushed up demand. Several export projects in North America hope for Final Investment Decision (FID) this year, including LNG Canada, a $40 billion, 13 million-tonnes-a-year venture led by Royal Dutch Shell, with PetroChina, Korea Gas Corporation and Japan’s Mitsubishi as partners. The proposed liquefaction plant and marine terminal are planned for Kitimat, B.C. (more…)
by Canadian Sailings | Oct 18, 2018 | Corporate events & profiles, Gateways and Corridors, Ocean, Ocean Carriers, Other, Ports and Terminals, Tom Peters
By Tom Peters
The developing technology to create a more efficient cargo supply chain, the status of North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) negotiations, and CN’s continued investment in safety and equipment to keep cargo moving fluidly, were among the main topics of discussion at the annual Halifax Port Days.
Digitization in the shipping industry grabbed the attention of delegates as a panel of business and technology experts focused on a new blockchain collaboration between Maersk and IBM, called TradeLens. The goal of the project is to develop a highly secure digital ledger system that promotes the sharing of information across the global shipping industry which can reduce costs, improve productivity, increase the speed of the delivery of goods and provide transparency. The Maersk-IBM blockchain will enable the needed safety and security for the digital platform. (more…)
by Canadian Sailings | Oct 18, 2018 | Gateways and Corridors, Ports and Terminals, Rail, Supply Chain and Logistics
Fluidity is crucial for a logistics chain. More than 800,000 containers are transported by truck each year to and from the Port of Montreal, which is connected to a national network of highways throughout Canada and the U.S. Up to 2,500 trucks move through the port each day.
Another 700,000-plus containers are transported annually by rail to and from the port. The Montreal Port Authority (MPA) operates its own on-dock railway system that is directly connected to Canadian National and Canadian Pacific and their North American networks, with daily departures to Toronto, Chicago and Detroit. Some 60 to 80 container trains move through the port each week. (more…)
by Canadian Sailings | Oct 18, 2018 | Business and Economy, Gateways and Corridors, Other, Ports and Terminals
After an amazing makeover, the Port of Montreal’s Grand Quay is providing contemporary marine infrastructure and top-notch reception facilities – on par with Montreal’s international reputation – to cruise lines and their guests, as well as magnificent open green spaces where the public can enjoy unique and spectacular views of the St. Lawrence River and the city.
Now more than ever, Montreal is becoming an international gateway for cruise lines, attracting a diverse clientele. The port will have welcomed a record 128,000 passengers and crew members on international and domestic cruises by the time the 2018 season ends on November 2. That is an increase of 10 percent over last year. (more…)
by Canadian Sailings | Aug 29, 2018 | Business and Economy, Gateways and Corridors, Government and Regulation, Keith Norbury, Other, Supply Chain and Logistics
By Keith Norbury
If the two Canadian provinces and eight U.S. states that make up the Great Lakes-St. Lawrence Seaway region formed their own country, it would boast the world’s third largest economy. That was one of the notable observations in a recent report commissioned by Chamber of Marine Commerce, an Ottawa-based bi-national association representing shipowners and operators, ports, shippers, and other marine-related companies.
The region’s annual GDP of over US$6 trillion — exceeded only by the U.S. and China — includes domestic cargo moved on either side of the border, and cargo bound for or arriving from overseas. But a fair chunk of that is trade across the border — trade that many transportation industry insiders and experts fear will suffer from the tariff war that has erupted between Canada and the U.S. (more…)
by Canadian Sailings | Jul 4, 2018 | Bruce Striegler, Gateways and Corridors, Other
By R. Bruce Striegler
At first glance, the Vancouver Island city of Nanaimo may seem to be an unusual location for a yet un-named European auto manufacturer to establish a vehicle processing centre (VPC) for Western Canada. However, Ewan Moir, President and CEO of Nanaimo Port Authority, assures us that is exactly what is taking place. “Historically, the way European autos reach Western Canada is after unloading from ships at Eastern Canadian ports, they are shipped across the country by rail, then moved into holding yards and moved again by truck to the dealerships. Logistical challenges, delays, and costs coming across Canada opened people’s eyes to the need for change.” Moir mentions land prices in the Vancouver area as a further issue. “Dealerships were turning to the manufacturer and expressing concern about holding large inventories which were becoming an expensive proposition.” (more…)
