Roberts Bank Terminal 2 – Year in review

With Canada’s west coast container trade on a long-term growth trajectory, the Vancouver Fraser Port Authority has just released an update on the work done over the past year to advance Roberts Bank Terminal 2 project.

Here are some of the highlights from 2023:

• The Government of Canada approved Roberts Bank Terminal 2 and the Government of British Columbia granted an environmental assessment certificate for the project, following a rigorous environmental assessment process;
• The Authority completed five field study programs on subjects like Dungeness crab habitat, juvenile salmon, and water quality. They worked closely with First Nations representatives, biologists, and scientists on all the field studies;
• Also, the Authority signed additional mutual benefits agreements to ensure the project is guided by Indigenous knowledge, relationships, and environmental and cultural stewardship;
• They met with community members, customers, industry, and local government to provide updates on the project and discuss key initiatives, such as at the Delta Community Office and regional business association events.

Looking ahead

The Vancouver Fraser Port Authority will continue to advance Roberts Bank Terminal 2 towards an operations start date in the mid-2030s to support Canada’s growing trade needs in a sustainable way. In 2024, the Authority will be:

• Working on the Species at Risk Act-compliant Fisheries Act Authorization application;
• Consulting and collaborating with First Nations on mitigation measures, habitat offsetting projects, and economic opportunities;
• Engaging with regulators;
• Preparing for a final investment decision and successful construction phase.

Roberts Bank Terminal 2 is a future marine container terminal on Canada’s west coast, led by the Vancouver Fraser Port Authority, that will deliver critical capacity and supply chain resilience.

The main components of the proposed project include dredging and construction of the new three-berth marine container terminal; widening of the causeway to the mainland to accommodate additional road and rail infrastructure; and expansion of the tug basin to accommodate a second tug operations contractor.