The Canadian government has unveiled a system to improve marine vessel traffic flow and optimise supply chain flow at the Port of Vancouver and in Southern British Columbia.
The country’s Minister of Transport, Omar Alghabra, said that the Vancouver Fraser Port Authority will work with partners to design a new collaborative system to manage traffic and improve logistics operations.
In a statement, Transport Canada said the system will strengthen marine safety by cutting congestion and actively managing marine traffic. It will also improve the efficiency and reliability of the flow of goods and protect the regional killer whale habitat by cutting noise pollution.
Additionally, it will also reduce “negative social impacts” by cutting overall anchorage usage in Southern British Columbia and implementing a new Code of Conduct for vessels at anchorage.
The Vancouver Fraser Port Authority will work with partners to develop the implementation plan for the new system.
It will include approaches to policies, procedures, practices, incentives, technologies, information, and data-sharing needed to deliver a traffic management system that creates benefits for all partners.
Robin Silvester, President and CEO, Vancouver Fraser Port Authority, said, “We are proud to collaborate with port partners, stakeholders, indigenous groups, and government on this new marine vessel traffic management system that will not only improve and optimize the efficient movement of goods through our port system, but also reduce the environmental and community impacts of trade activity in our gateway.”
Alghabra also commented, “Thanks to the Oceans Protection Plan, marine shipping has never been safer or more sustainable in Canada.
“By collaborating with industry and shipping communities to improve supply chain efficiency in a safe and responsible way, we can increase our maritime trade, and support Canada’s economic recovery and growth, while protecting our coasts and waterways for generations to come.”
