Port Metro Vancouver (legally
Vancouver Fraser Port Authority) is a non-shareholder, financially self-sufficient corporation, established by the Government of Canada in January 2008, pursuant to the Canada Marine Act, and accountable to the federal Minister of Transport. It is the principal authority for shipping and
port-related land and sea use in the
Metro Vancouver region. Port Metro Vancouver is the largest port in Canada and fourth largest tonnage port in North America.
History
Prior to merger
Prior to the formation of the new authority, there were three separate port authorities in the
Metro Vancouver region: the
Port of Vancouver, which was the largest port in
Canada; the
Fraser River Port Authority; and the North Fraser Port Authority.
Although the ports were financially self-sufficient, the federal legislation governing the authorities generated some inefficiency because the port authorities, legally separate entities, were forced to compete with each other economically for business. This inefficiency came to the attention of the local media in 2006 when it was found that the recently expanded Fraser Surrey Docks, operated by the Fraser River Port Authority in
New Westminster, were sitting idle after their principal shipping partner,
CP Ships, relocated to the Port of Vancouver, already nearing capacity. Container docks in Surrey idle after $190m expansion -
The......
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