Deltaport Terminal

Deltaport is Canada's largest container terminal, located at Roberts Bank Superport, which is part of Port Metro Vancouver. Terminal Systems Inc. operates Deltaport under a long-term lease agreement with the Vancouver Fraser Port Authority. The terminal is designed to handle the largest container ships afloat and features dual-hoist gantry cranes, which is a first in the Americas. The port also operates super post-panamax cranes, three berths and advanced computer systems.

Together with Westshore Terminals, Deltaport is the largest coal export facility in Canada. As of 2011 Canada was the world’s seventh-biggest coal exporter.

Port expansion and environmental impacts
In January 2010, Deltaport added a third berth and doubled its capacity. It is now one of the busiest import/export ports in North America and a major hub for container trucking companies. According to the Wildernes Committee, the Deltaport expansion directly impacts the Fraser Estuary. The port is located at the mouth of the Fraser River, which is one of the most productive salmon rivers in the world. The group notes that Roberts Bank, a large expanse of intertidal eelgrass beds, marshes and nutrient-rich mudflats, is a vital link in a chain of globally significant habitats for salmon, migrating birds and orcas. Migrating salmon on their way to the ocean stay in the estuary to feed and adapt to salt water.

Additionally, Roberts Bank is a feeding area for three pods of endangered and declining populations of resident orcas. Their survival is threatened by toxic pollution, loss of food sources, primarily coho salmon, marine noise and collisions. The group contends that any further expansion of the port will impact these species viability.

Related SourceWatch articles

 * Canada and coal
 * China and coal
 * Coal exports
 * Roberts Bank Superport
 * Westshore Terminals
 * Existing U.S. Coal Mines
 * Montana and coal
 * Oregon and coal
 * Powder River Basin
 * U.S. coal exports
 * Washington (state) and coal
 * Wyoming and coal
 * Railroads and coal
 * Coal Exports from Northwest United States Ports