By Leo Quigley, AJOTCanadian shippers watched two events unfold in 2007 that could have significant consequences for shippers on both sides of the Canada-US border. The first was the opening of a new container terminal in the country’s northwest Pacific corner and the second was the successful arrival of a Russian ship to unload bulk fertilizer at the Port of Churchill, located on Hudson Bay, and take away a cargo of wheat. This event represented the first successful trip across the Arctic Bridge between Murmansk and Churchill and the first inbound cargo received at the port in roughly a decade. The industry also saw significant progress in building Canada’s Asia Pacific Gateway with an announcement in 2007 that Ottawa would increase its contribution from C$591 million to C$1 billion, as well as an additional C$2.1 billion to go towards a national fund for infrastructure needed to develop gateways and improve border crossings across the country. As well, a plan emerged that will see the three port authorities in British Columbia’s Lower Mainland amalgamate into one authority to be called the Vancouver Fraser Port Authority. PORT OF VANCOUVERTo the end of September this year the port saw total tonnage increase to 60.8 million tonnes, representing a 3.4% increase over the same period in 2006, with most of that being inbound cargo. As well, total containers climbed from 1.6 million last year to 1.7 million, representing an increase of 4.3% to the end of the third quarter, with most of the increase being inbound containers. Chris Badger, Vice-President, Customer Development & Operations, told AJOT the port’s performance to the end of September was “good” when compared to other West Coast ports. This growth, he said, can be directly linked to the fact that Canada’s economy continues to be strong. Construction on the port’s third berth at Deltaport is on time, Badger said, and is scheduled to open in 2009. When completed, the new berth will increase the container port’s capacity by 400,000 teus. Also of major significance was the recent signing of a treaty with the Tsawwassen First Nations band, a community adjacent Deltaport. Included in that historic agreement was a provision for the band to supply roughly 200 hectares of land for the construction of a container storage facility and other infrastructure to support Deltaport and, possibly, a second, similar terminal nearby. One challenge facing the port is the breakdown in talks between the British Columbia Maritime Employers Association and the International Longshore and Warehouse Union, for which a mediator has been appointed. Badger said the port is optimistic that an agreement can be reached. FRASER PORTTo the end of the second quarter Fraser Port, located on the Fraser River, saw container traffic increase from 53,906 to 86,303 teus and automobile imports almost double. Allen Domaas, President & CEO of the Fraser Port Authority, said the river port is continuing to grow, particularly in the area of automobiles that have been the port’s “bread and butter. “”I’m also happy to see that the dislocation of cargo two years ago, when CP Ships was purchased, is turning around and coming back with more containers. It really focuses on the fact that the Fraser River is a full service niche,” Domaas said. Container traffic this year is expected to hit about 200,000 teus compared to 98,500 teus handled last year, he said. Labor negotiations at Fraser Port, which also employs ILWU members, have hit the critical point Domaas said. “It makes you nervous. We don’t have a great reputation for dependability and a possible labor disruption may be one more confirmation of that for our customers.” He said a disruption would have long-term affects. As the Asia Pacific Gateway becomes a reality the number one issue will be “what is our brand? “We want our brand to be fast, efficient and mobile. But, I don’t believe that’s how carriers necessarily see us at the moment.” Domaas said the rep