A recent focus of supply chain efficiency in the Vancouver Gateway has been the container trucking sector that services the port. In early 2014, a month-long strike accelerated the need for far-reaching drayage reforms, which we expect will bring much-needed stability to the industry.
After months of consultation, Port Metro Vancouver will reduce the number of permits available to trucks servicing our container terminals. This, along with extended gate hours, fines for excessive waiting times and a provincial drayage commissioner to provide sector oversight, will balance the supply of trucks with the amount of work available at the port, eliminate undercutting and ensure drivers are paid fairly.
2015 will see the full implementation of these trucking reforms. We expect the changes to bring stability to the port, and to provide a level of container truck management that is unparalleled in other ports around the world.
In addition to these trucking sector reforms, delivering infrastructure and capacity improvements continue to be priorities for the port and its partners.
Since 2005, an unprecedented C$22 billion of public- and private-sector investment has been committed in our region to support projects designed to move people and cargo faster and more efficiently.
As Prime Minister Stephen Harper recently stated to a Canadian trade delegation in Asia, these projects have been instrumental in creating “a new Silk Road” between North America and Asia through Canada's west coast.
We collaborate with our stakeholders and partners to identify and build the right projects to meet future trade demands. In 2014 alone, we collectively completed nine infrastructure projects worth nearly C$500 million. In 2015, we expect to complete several more and plan for the next round of infrastructure investments with our industry and government partners.
Robin Silvester, President and CEO, Port Metro Vancouver