Fairview Container Terminal Expansion Completed at Rupert Port

Canada’s Port of Prince Rupert can now accommodate the largest container vessels in the world, following DP World’s expansion of the port’s Fairview Container Terminal.

Following the conclusion of the two-year “Phase 2 North” expansion project, the terminal’s annual throughput capacity will grow from 850,000 to 1.35 million TEUs.

The terminal now includes a second vessel berth serviced by three new “big ship ready” Malacca-max cranes, allowing 20,000+ TEU vessels to access the terminal through one of the deepest port harbors in the world. In addition, 6,000 more feet of on-dock rail and an 11-hectare increase to the terminal footprint are expected to improve terminal services.

Since its conversion from a break-bulk facility in 2007, Fairview Container Terminal has been recognized as one of the fastest growing container terminals in North America, according to the Port of Prince Rupert.

“Prince Rupert’s success has been driven by its … geographical position on the trans-Pacific trade route, its high terminal productivity, and its consistently low dwell times that have sustained despite our significant growth in throughput over the past two years. However, as global trade has grown, so have container vessels. In order to meet the needs of our customer and capitalize on other opportunities, we needed an upgrade,” Maksim Mihic, General Manager of DP World Canada, commented.

Don Krusel, President and CEO of the Port of Prince Rupert, said the expansion is an important part of the port’s future growth strategy: “We continue to build on our strengths, and ensure that as we grow as a port we will maintain the velocity and fluidity that got us here. This project is a significant addition to Canada’s trade infrastructure, and provides … value to our shippers and many partners.”

Fairview Container Terminal was the first dedicated intermodal container terminal in North America when it began operation in 2007, and has grown to become a major trans-Pacific trade gateway. Through an agreement with the Prince Rupert Port Authority, Maher Terminals Holding Corporation of New Jersey operated the terminal from its opening until 2015, when DP World Canada purchased the right to operate the terminal. The original design capacity of the terminal was 500,000 TEU.