PORT UPDATES
August. “In addition to providing a great opportunity to showcase our operations, both the Port and the com- munity had a great time.” Currently handling about 23,000 TEUs annually, Hais reported that the Port is in the midst of implementing a $140 million terminal upgrade that will increase container capacity ten- fold to 280,000 TEUs by year’s end. The project marks a significant mile- stone for the one million residents of Vancouver Island who rely on the Port for essential goods. Yet growth will not stop there. Planning is already underway for a fourth phase that would ultimately scale capacity to 1.2 million TEUs. To support that expan- sion, the Port has issued an RFP to secure 100 acres for a future logistics hub, targeted to open within three years pursuant to federal funding sup- port. A key component of the strat- egy includes collaboration with First Nations partners, supporting land transfers and co-developing long- term business strategies that align economic growth with reconciliation objectives. Regarding passenger travel to/from Vancouver Island, Hais described rapid growth on all current modes (seaplane, helicopter, and car and passenger fer- ries) considering the equally dynamic growth being experienced across the Island. Boasting the most car ferry ter- minals of any port in British Columbia and a new passenger ferry service that welcomed more than 660,000 passen- gers in its second year of operation, the Port has had to reimagine their land use plan and are considering changes to docking facilities including new infrastructure. “The passenger ferry traffic will soon be competing for space with our projected growth of cruise ship visits,” said Hais. “During the pandemic, like many of you, we lost all of our cruise business. This past year saw five visits,
Frank Colonna, Port of Long Beach
Donna Hais, Port of Nanaimo
In 2025, the Port of Long Beach set a record by moving 9.9 million TEUs, driven largely by front loading implemented at the beginning of the year...
leadership, the Port aims to strengthen its position as the premier gateway for trans-Pacific trade. In 2025, the Port of Long Beach set a record by moving 9.9 million TEUs, driven largely by front loading imple- mented at the beginning of the year when shippers and retailers “moved an extraordinary amount of goods ahead of anticipated tariff announcements”. Colonna was further pleased to report that, in partnership with the Port of Los Angeles, goals for the Clean Air Action Plan have been exceeded. The Air Emissions Inventory for 2024 showed that diesel particulate matter was reduced by 90 percent, nitrogen oxides by 68 percent, and sulfur oxides by 98 percent — even as cargo vol- umes increased by 44 percent over the same timeframe. Colonna gave a nod to maritime and labor partners who shared in the achievement. Colonna emphasized that the Port’s long-term strategy remains focused on building capacity to meet forecasts
that project container volumes reach 20 million TEUs annually by 2050. The Pier B On-Dock Rail Support Facility is on track for completion by 2032, enabling containers to move from ship to train in less than 24 hours. Meanwhile, International Transportation Service has begun a major expansion that will add 19 acres of new land and a 3,400-foot wharf capable of accommodating two of the industry’s largest vessels. The work is anticipated to be completed by 2028. Colonna wrapped up his comments by noting that the Port’s planning ensures growth remains efficient, sus- tainable, and resilient. Port of Nanaimo: Ambitious expansion strategy highlighted Providing the update for the Port of Nanaimo, Donna Hais, Chair of the Port’s Board of Directors, first thanked everyone who attended the APP’s 111 th Annual Conference in Nanaimo last
32 — PACIFIC PORTS — March 2026
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