Three of the worlds largest Super Post-Panamax Cranes are arriving at the Port of Vancouver after leaving China by ship weeks ago. The delivery marks the fulfillment of an Agreement of Intent between TSI Terminal Systems Inc. (TSI) and crane suppliers Zhenhua Port Machinery Co. Ltd. (ZPMC) of Shanghai, signed in the presence of Premier Campbell and Canada's Ambassador to China at the World Economic Summit in Beijing in November 2003.

"The Post-Panamax cranes are capable of servicing the newest and largest container ships in the world," said Norman Stark, President and CEO, TSI. "At a cost of $24 million, they represent new investment that is possible, in part, due to the provincial governments reform of taxation practices that had been crippling marine terminals," said Stark. The cranes feature twin lifts and total lift capacity of 65 tons and are capable of lifting two containers at a time, while increasing productivity, efficiencies and capacity at the terminal.

The cranes are part of TSI's Balanced Growth Program and commitment to invest $60 million in equipment over the next three years to grow its capacity by 10% per year. The improvements at Vanterm and Deltaport are a key part of the Ports strategy to capture increased trade with Asia and provide greater opportunities for Canadian exporters to further penetrate the Asian market.

Growth in the container sector represents significant economic opportunity for Canada and British Columbia. Container expansion at the Port of Vancouver alone is expected to generate an additional $8 billion in economic output by 2020.

The first of the three cranes arrived at Deltaport and will be installed and operational within two months. Some of the components installed on these cranes are from BC.

Two cranes destined for Vanterm arrived in English Bay. The delivery is thought to be the tallest and widest shipment ever to have passed under the Lions Gate Bridge, with only an estimated six feet between the top of the cranes and the bottom of the bridge span.

Capt. Gordon Houston, President and CEO, Vancouver Port Authority said, "On behalf of the Vancouver Port Authority I would like to congratulate Zhenhua Port Machinery Co., Ltd. and TSI on the production, delivery and acquisition of the cranes. Port investment in equipment is critical to meeting the requirements of growing container volumes and our dedication to providing our shipping line customers with exceptional service."

The Port of Vancouver is Canada's largest and most diversified port, trading $29 billion in goods with more than 90 trading economies each year. Port activities generate 62,000 jobs in total with $1.6 billion in Gross Domestic Product and $3.5 billion in economic output.