A $105-million expansion of Nanaimo’s Duke Point Terminal is being heralded as the right move at the right time as Canada expands its reach in international trade.
Ground was broken Friday on a near doubling of the terminal’s berth to 325 metres, which will allow the port to accommodate larger ships.
The province is providing $15 million for the expansion through its Regional Port Enhancement Program, while the federal government is contributing $46.2 million through its Trade Corridors Fund.
Cargo-handling capacity at Duke Point will increase to 280,000 20-foot equivalent units, or TEUs, a year. A TEU is a standard unit of measurement for a 20-foot shipping container, or sea can.
DP World, which leases Duke Point, said the larger port will enable Duke Point to bring in larger international vessels, improve services for importers and exporters and facilitate smoother regional and international trade.
It said the project establishes a robust short-sea shipping connection between Nanaimo and Vancouver, improving trade routes to key Asian markets.
DP World’s Canadian operations extend across the country, with terminals in Vancouver, Surrey, Prince Rupert and Saint John, N.B.
The expansion will bring additional storage for a wider array of cargo, including a 26,000-square-foot covered area for pulp products. DP World plans to replace the existing diesel-powered quay crane with two electric cranes.
The Port of Nanaimo and DP World signed a 50-year-lease agreement in February 2021 before embarking on the expansion, which also includes a new truck gate and upgrades to sewer, drainage, electrical, water and security systems.
In November, Transport Canada and the Department of Fisheries and Oceans determined the expansion at Duke Point was “not likely” to cause any adverse environmental effects and gave it the green light.
The berthing face on the water is being enlarged from the current 182 metres to 325 metres, including securing dolphin structures and improved fendering.
The paved storage area is being expanded from 15 acres to 30 acres.
The project is supported by Snuneymuxw First Nation.
Chief Mike Wyse noted in a statement that the Duke Point area is in the heart of Snuneymuxw territory, saying the First Nation supports the expansion “based on clear recognition of the rights enshrined in our Snuneymuxw Sarlequun Treaty of 1854.”
“We are honoured to uphold our Nation’s longstanding responsibility to support the growth of the local economy, benefiting all communities connected to our lands.”
George Anderson, B.C.’s parliamentary secretary for transit speaking on behalf of Transportation Minister Mike Farnworth, said the Duke Point expansion marks a significant step in strengthening B.C.’s economy at a “crucial time.”
“B.C.’s ports are vital gateways to global markets, especially for exporting our natural resources,” said Anderson. “This project will create opportunities for local industries, support good-paying jobs and strengthen supply chains — enhancing our global competitiveness while building a more resilient and self-reliant economy.”
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