At its Annual Public Meeting, the Fraser River Port Authority announced today that it could follow the record tonnage level of 2002 with another “exceptional year.”

In 2002, the Fraser River Port handled over 32 million tonnes of cargo and according to Chair Michael Jones the “economic engine” that the river has been for its 90 years is continuing at a record pace this year.

President and CEO Allen Domaas said the pace of this year’s throughput was “already setting records and it’s pretty clear we are heading for another exceptional year.

“At the half-year, total domestic and international cargo shipments exceeded 17 million tonnes,” Domaas said. “Our half-year statistics show we are ahead in nearly every category."

Dredging

The recent flooding throughout British Columbia was also highlighted at the meeting. Without the Port Authority’s annual dredging program, the Fraser River would gradually silt up so that a vast area stretching to Chilliwack could eventually be subject to flooding.

In his remarks, Chair Jones questioned: “Should the economic engine of trade and commerce be burdened with the full expense of annually removing silt from the river?”

The Port Authority has taken over the role of dredging the river from the Canadian Coast Guard, which pulled out in 1998. But, even with compensation from the Coast Guard, Jones said the downloading of the dredging expense was proving onerous.

“Money spent on that operating expense reduces the funds available to finance the renewal and expansion of the Port to meet future needs,” he added.

The Port Authority spent $3.9 million (after cost recovery) on dredging to aid navigation and to meet the needs of customers. A deeper channel also improves the safety and well-being of people and businesses along the river.

Review of the Canada Marine Act

Jones also expressed concern over the competitive disadvantages faced by Canadian port authorities compared to U.S. ports and said the Fraser River Port Authority strongly supported certain recommendations of the recent Canada Marine Act Review Panel following its hearings around the country.

Those key review panel recommendations called on the Federal Government to invest in infrastructure at Canadian ports; explore financing alternatives such as tax-exempt bonds for new port infrastructure; and make Payments in Lieu of Taxes to local governments on federal property within a port authority’s jurisdiction.

Port Security

On another fiscal front, President and CEO Domaas outlined a huge increase in the number and scope of required security measures following new international and Canadian guidelines – from security assessments to photo ID and new surveillance cameras.

The increased vigilance brings with it higher costs and Domaas said that Fraser River Port, together with other Canadian port authorities, had expressed concern over who will pay for the beefed up security.

“We contend the added costs should be the responsibility of the Government of Canada,” he told the meeting. “We cannot afford to pass on increased costs to our customers at the risk of destroying our competitiveness in world markets and destroying the benefits generated through waterborne commerce on the Fraser River.”