Editor:
Re: Port projections far outstrip country's economic growth, letter to the editor, Dec. 19
The letter makes inaccurate statements about growth of container shipping and related infrastructure in the region.
Port Metro Vancouver's mandate is to facilitate Canada's trade objectives, while providing for a high level of safety and environmental protection and ensuring local communities are considered.
Balancing these objectives means it often takes several years to advance a project from proposal to completion, or in the case of significant infrastructure projects like Roberts Bank Terminal 2, well over a decade. This is a good thing, as it allows for a robust environmental review, as well as comprehensive community consultation, and ultimately ensures any project-related effects are minimized or properly mitigated.
Overall demand for foreign imports is increasing, and we are expecting another one million people in our region over the next 25 years, which will create even more local demand. At the same time, Asian demand for Canadian exports is increasing as our governments actively promote overseas trade relationships and agreements. To understand what additional container infrastructure may be required within the next 10 to 15 years, Port Metro Vancouver has sourced independent, third-party forecasts every year since 2011. The latest forecast, available on our website (www.portmetrovancouver. com/RBT2), was prepared by Ocean Shipping Consultants, experts in global economics and logistics.
While the relationship between Canadian GDP and trade growth is useful to forecast containerized shipping, it is not sufficient to explain growth at a specific Canadian port. For instance, container traffic through Port Metro Vancouver has grown at an average of almost seven per cent annually since 2000, while Canadian GDP growth has only averaged 2.2 per cent during the same time frame (World Bank).
The detailed forecast incorporates analysis of domestic and foreign economic growth, as well as various drivers, trends and global logistics developments.
To maintain an accurate and current picture of future container volumes, Port Metro Vancouver has committed to having these forecasts updated annually. The forecasts will be scrutinized by the independent review panel for Terminal 2. Subject to environmental approval and any conditions issued by government, the forecasts will also be considered by those funding and operating the terminal. This rigorous assessment gives me confidence Roberts Bank Terminal 2 will not proceed unless the capacity it provides is truly required.
Cliff Stewart
Vice-President, Infrastructure Port Metro Vancouver
