The Canadian government has announced an investment of approximately US$35 million for the Port of Nanaimo to make significant infrastructure improvements and expansions at its Duke Point facilities.
According to a statement, the investment was announced by Marc Garneau, Canada’s Minister of Transport, following months of work with the Port of Nanaimo team, which included terminal operator DP World.
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It will see the existing wharf being expanded to 325 metres from its current 182 and the addition of two 24-metre cranes, a new warehouse, a new maintenance and administration building, truck gate and upgrades in electrical and security systems.
Speaking about the announcement, Port of Nanaimo Chair Donna Hais said: “I don’t think we’ve ever seen this type of major financial investment in Nanaimo before.
“I’m extremely excited about what this will provide for the community of Nanaimo and for the mid-island Region as a whole; it will create a lot of well paid jobs.”
Ian Marr, the Port’s CEO, echoed those views: “With our location and the high volumes of cargo moving into and out of Vancouver and Vancouver Island, we are ideally situated to become the primary point of entry and exit for trans-shipment of goods for Vancouver Island.
“Our new equipment and facilities will make us an ideal, attractive and efficient option for local, national and international companies. We’re coming off our best financial year yet, and we expect these new developments will allow us to create new growth for the region.”
It is the latest in a series of investment projects launched by the Canadian government designed to improve its maritime industry.
In June 2019, PTI reported the $17 million investment the government made in the Port of Belledune as part its ‘National Trade Corridors’ initiative to improve the country’s overseas trade.
Other areas of investment include the Port of Hamilton’s Westport modernization project and an expansion of the Port of Rupert, designed specifically to boost trade with Asia.
As well as that, in March 2019 the government renewed its relationship with machine-to-machine (M2M) and Internet of Things (IoT) specialists ORBCOMM to provide ship traffic and navigation data.
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