VANCOUVER, B.C. — The Vancouver Port Authority (VPA) has completed Phase 1 of a new container handling facility that will dramatically reduce the number of truck trips.

The $35 million container handling facility located between the Port of Vancouver’s three major deapsea terminals and the Fraser-Surrey docks – is aimed at increasing the port’s capacity while removing thousands of trucks from the roads. Trucks will no longer be required to transport empty containers between importers and exporters, the VPA says.

Developer, ModaLink, says 10,000 fewer truck trips will be required on Lower Mainland roads as a result of the development.

“The whole concept came about as a result of the need for expansion and how we can accommodate some of the growth that’s coming our way,” says VPA senior vice-president business development Kevin Little. “We are looking at four million TEUs (twenty-foot equivalent units, a standard industry measure) of container traffic through the port by 2020 (up from 1.54 million TEUs in 2003) if we choose to capitalize on it. The last thing we want to do is expand the terminal infrastructure, which is the most expensive option.”

Shipping costs are expected to be reduced as a result of the expansion by about $175 per container if emptied and filled at the same location.

“One of the biggest problems affecting the quality of life in this region is too much heavy traffic,” says ModaLink CEO, Colyn Clay. “By centralizing importers and exporters in one place, we get empty containers off the road. And that means less traffic and cleaner air.”