On November 16, the Department of Transportation announced a $75 million investment to build a second berth at the Trigon Pacific Terminal on Ridley Island.
The money will be used to expand Prince Rupert’s export capacity through the $4.6 billion National Trade Corridors Fund.
Trigon Pacific Terminals president and chief executive Rob Booker said the financial announcement made the day an “incredibly exciting day” and that the B2BC (Berth 2 Before Carbon) project was “key” to the terminal’s future.
“For nearly 40 years, Trigon has been a vital connection point between Canada, exporters and customers around the world. We are determined to expand and maintain this role for decades to come,” Booker said.
The project will make the community Canada’s first western export terminal designed specifically for hydrogen-based and other low-carbon fuels.
“Prince Rupert may seem remote, but I think as most Canadians know and appreciate – remote doesn’t mean unimportant. That’s certainly the case with Prince Rupert,” said Trigon CEO said the officer.
When completed in 2026, the development will nearly double throughput, improve efficiency at existing berths and add a commodity diversification platform capable of exporting 9 million tonnes of clean energy annually.
Booker said the expansion, which begins in the coming weeks, will “definitely” change the mix of goods being shipped out of the port’s terminals at a much faster rate than it did just a few years ago.
“This announcement will go beyond us. It creates pathways for supporters to make investment decisions. The world is looking for a safe, reliable export supply of green energy. Today, Canada has made it clear to the international community that we are that supplier.”
“On the other side of the rail line that stops at Trigon, you’ll find some of Canada’s most important energy producing regions, rich in natural resources and the expertise needed to responsibly develop from production to green energy supply”
Booker, east of Prince Rupert, said shipping lines moving much-needed products to global markets will play an important role in fighting climate change.
Transport Minister Omar Algabra said Prince Rupert is one of the most important ports in Canada’s supply chain.
“Once complete, this project will reduce port congestion and enable Trigon Pacific to increase trade with our overseas partners. The new berth will allow more vessels to call at Prince Rupert and will be used to support clean energy exports to global markets The product.”
“As North America’s closest port to Asia, Prince Rupert helps keep our economy connected to key global markets,” Alghabra said.
Sean Stevenson, president and CEO of the Prince Rupert Port Authority, said more than $60 billion in trade passes through the city’s port each year.
“An investment like this, at a terminal like Trigon Pacific, recognizes the strategic importance of Prince Rupert to the future,” he said.
Booker emphasized the nature of strong alignment with Indigenous communities, businesses and governments.
“I want to go a step further and say this is not only aligned with Aboriginal people, but we have a lot of encouragement, vision and leadership that I’m very grateful for…we have the idiosyncratic energy outlets needed to be one of Canada’s premier green communities Hub. As of today, we have secured the funding we need to build the infrastructure.”
Lax Kw’alaams Mayor Gary Reece said the vibrant trade on the north coast has been around for thousands of years and, like this new project, has been developed through relationships built on ingenuity, hard work and determination. As part owner of Trigon Pacific, he said they were pleased to know it would help preserve the natural beauty and vitality of areas such as the North Coast.
“Building on this, a key objective has always been to seek a progressive future, to find economic opportunities for our people – opportunities that will sustain the well-being of our people for generations to come. That’s what makes Trigon’s second berth so exciting The reason for the project. Not only does it create training, employment and procurement opportunities, but it is also designed to help this terminal transition to a more sustainable future,” Rees said.
KJ Miller | Editor and Multimedia Reporter
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