Roberts Bank Terminal 2 named a project of national interest, opening could move up to 2035
Ottawa has listed the Roberts Bank Terminal 2 container project in Delta, B.C., as a project of national interest. The federal government says the move could bring the terminal into commercial operation up to four years sooner, in 2035 instead of 2039.
Transport Canada announced the designation on Oct. 30. The Vancouver Fraser Port Authority leads the project.
The project
- Estimated cost: $5.9 billion, not counting financing.
- Capacity: 2.4 million containers a year, which the government says is about 50 per cent more container capacity.
- Trade supported: up to $100 billion.
- Final investment decision: targeted by mid-2027.
- Preferred construction partner: TerraMarine.
The port authority has signed 27 Mutual Benefit Agreements tied to the project.
Expected benefits
The government says the added capacity would avoid between $800 million and $900 million a year in costs from as early as 2031. It also estimates delivery times between Vancouver and Toronto would be about 17 per cent shorter.
Ottawa projects about 17,000 jobs, about $3 billion a year in GDP and about $631 million in tax revenue from the terminal.
The designation does not mean construction has started. A final investment decision is still needed, and Ottawa says it is targeted for mid-2027.