PORT UPDATES
port. “Along with the Port of Nanaimo and others in the region, we facilitate the trade to many of the Asian com- munities and ports within the Pacific Rim which is currently presenting the biggest growth opportunity for the Port’s future,” he said. Roughly 70 percent of the Port’s vol- ume is focused on bulk commodities, including coal, sulfur, potash, and fer- tilizer. It also processes about 500,000 imported vehicles and 3.6 million con- tainers annually, alongside 1.3 million cruise revenue passengers from around 300 ship calls. “Our purpose as an organization is to enable trade by building a reliable supply chain for Canada,” said Xotta. “That means ensuring investment, reliability, and sustainability across all aspects of the Gateway — and we are seeing significant investment to achieve this.” Highlighting some of the Port’s recent investments, Xotta described the results of a $500 million Expansion Project at Centerm Container Terminal. Working with partner DP World, the project saw 600,000 TEUs of new capacity when it came online in late 2023. The project, Xotta said, is already improving efficiency, includ- ing through initiatives like the Gemini Cooperation (a long-term partnership between Maersk and Hapag-Lloyd), which has significantly helped to improve vessel on-time performance across the West Coast. Xotta noted that the Port’s growth has also been accelerated by the Trans Mountain expansion, which has driven “the largest step-function vol- ume increase in our history”. Cargo throughput is projected to rise from 160 million to about 180 million tonnes within two years as new cap- acity comes online. On the sustainability front, the Port is piloting electric drayage trucks, expanding shore power with SSA
The Port of Stockton received a $110-million EPA Clean Ports Grant in late 2024.
In April 2025, the Port of Stockton marked the launch of its Renewable Fuels Terminal, operated by BWC Terminals — the first new fuels terminal built in California in nearly 30 years.
fully electrify nearly all cargo-handling equipment, building on earlier efforts that had already converted about 40 percent of its fleet. “This grant takes us close to 100 percent electrification,” DeJesus said, emphasizing the port’s strong public- private partnerships with SSA Marine and Marathon Petroleum. The initia- tive also includes plans for solar energy, battery storage, and workforce training infrastructure. In April 2025, the Port marked the launch of its Renewable Fuels Terminal, operated by BWC Terminals — the first new fuels terminal built in California in nearly 30 years. The facility will handle renewable diesel, biodiesel, and feed- stocks, creating 30 construction jobs and 18 permanent positions. However, not all clean energy efforts have gone smoothly. A pro- posed hydrogen manufacturing facility was proposed but, because it
was for gray hydrogen (i.e., carbon- based production) rather than green hydrogen, it faced opposition from environmental justice groups and was ultimately withdrawn after litigation. “It’s unfortunate,” DeJesus said. “The project will still happen, just out- side our gates. We’re hopeful green hydrogen will find a home here in the future.” Port of Vancouver The Vancouver Fraser Port Authority, Canada’s largest port, is undertaking major expansion and sus- tainability initiatives to strengthen the country’s Pacific trade network and accommodate record-breaking cargo growth, President and CEO Peter Xotta announced at a recent regional port gathering. Peter Xotta, President and CEO, provided an update for the Vancouver Fraser Port Authority, Canada’s largest
18 — PACIFIC PORTS — October/November 2025
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