Container Port takes another step forward

More positive developments on the Container terminal front, with Maher Terminals announcing that it has placed the order for the Cranes to lift containers to and from the ships to come. We provide our Podunkicized version of the Daily News story below for your perusal.

MASSIVE CRANE ORDER LIFTS PORT TO NEXT LEVEL
Leanne Ritchie
The Daily News
Thursday, January 26, 2006.
Story appeared on page 1

Following the announcement by the port of the first major construction contractor for the container terminal, Maher Terminals has ordered the three cranes that will be used to move containers off ships and onto rail cars.

Yesterday, Maher, the terminal operator, said it will order three new ultra-post-panamax container cranes for the Prince Rupert container terminal from ZPMC of Shanghai, China.

“The Prince Rupert Port Authority’s announcement of the first major construction contractor selection sets the stage for us to proceed with our crane order,” said M. Brian Maher, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Maher Terminals Inc.

“This sends a strong message to the maritime and shipping community that the development of a container terminal in Prince Rupert is continuing to progress.”

The port has now begun the process of turning the bulk shipping facility that used to handle lumber and pulp into a modern container transfer facility. Maher Terminals of Canada Corp. the Canadian operating arm of Maher Terminals, Inc., will manage and operate the container terminal at the Port of Prince Rupert.

Maher Terminal’s crane order will provide the Port of Prince Rupert with some of the world’s largest container cranes. They will stand more than 300 feet high and be able to reach 200 feet out across the dock to lift the 20 foot long containers.

They will be the tallest structures in Prince Rupert standing, two times the height of the Highliner Inn, currently the city’s tallest structure.

These cranes, together with other essential container handling equipment, will arrive and be fully commissioned in Prince Rupert to support the target terminal opening in the third quarter of 2007.

“With a planned opening during the third quarter of 2007 and estimated Phase 1 annual capacity of 500,000 TEUS (standard size containers), this new terminal will be a welcomed relief to ocean carriers and shippers experiencing congestion at existing West Coast ports and seeking further port diversification,” said Maher.

Maher also applauded the collective efforts and support of the Prince Rupert Port Authority, CN Rail, and the federal and provincial governments of Canada and British Columbia, all of whom are key stakeholders in the development of the Port of Prince Rupert as a significant container gateway.

Meanwhile, Hunter Harrison, president and chief executive officer of Canadian National Railway (CN), told investment analysts from North America’s major financial institutions that the last obstacle, the federal government permit, had been removed from the project and construction is now proceeding.

“It may be delayed a quarter, but it will be up and running in 2007,” said Harrison during a conference call Tuesday to discuss the company’s 2005 financial results.

In a press release, Harrison also confirmed CN will start is terminal and rail-infrastructure work this summer.

CN’s rail network will connect the new intermodal terminal with the principal cities of Canada and mid-America.

CN has committed $5 million to track upgrades along the Northwest corridor to allow for the passage of double-stacked container cars as well as $10 million for terminal trackage and $15 million for an intermodal yard.

Meanwhile, Harrison also painted a bright picture for two other terminal operators in Prince Rupert, the grain and coal-handling terminals.

Canadian coal shipments are up 39 per cent and the full impact of the mines that opened in last quarter of 2005 are now being felt, he said.

“There are solid prospects for Canadian coal,” he said.
CN has also seen good levels of export of barley and other grains to Prince Rupert Grain, and the Canadian grain outlook from December showed the largest available stocks in the last ten years.