Prince Rupert Port Authority to Begin Construction On $750 Million Export Logistics Project

Oct. 23, 2023 - The Prince Rupert Port Authority (PRPA) is commencing construction on the Ridley Island Export Logistics Project (RIELP), an innovative large-scale logistics project that will provide expanded capacity and capabilities for rail-to-container transloading of multiple export products at the Port of Prince Rupert. The investment promises to deliver critical trade infrastructure that will improve supply chain resiliency, strategic market access and enhanced competitiveness for Canadian exports.

The project will consist of a 108-acre greenfield development on Ridley Island that will commence operation in Q3 2026. Ray-Mont Logistics will develop and operate facilities that provide transloading service capacity for 400,000 TEUs (twenty-foot equivalent units) for agricultural, forestry, and plastic resin products. Ray-Mont currently operates a successful multi-product transload facility on a temporary Ridley Island location that has proven the export transload concept in Prince Rupert.

“Ray-Mont is committed to developing and expanding our successful export transload business in Prince Rupert and believes that RIELP represents an ideal platform to significantly increase the scale, efficiency and level of service to our existing and future customers,” said Charles Raymond, President & CEO, Ray-Mont Logistics.

“RIELP will be unique in North America in terms of its ability to simultaneously handle multiple unit trains of varying commodities and significantly decarbonize the logistics chain,” Raymond added.

The project will also include an expansion of the existing Ridley Island Road Rail Utility Corridor that will facilitate unit trains 10,000 feet in length with direct access to the site from the CN network. The transload facilities will be connected to Fairview Container Terminal by direct private road access, the 5-kilometer Fairview-Ridley Connector Corridor, ensuring all product movements will be within PRPA jurisdiction and fully avoid public infrastructure. The full electrification of transload facilities, optimization of rail, and the minimal truck drayage cumulatively represent a significant step forward in decarbonizing Canada’s export supply chains.

RIELP will provide new and innovative capacities for Canadian exporters to Asia Pacific markets. The project’s large scale, unit train capabilities, access to available empty containers, and proximity and integration into container terminal operations make it a unique model that promises the ability to deliver significant new service offerings to exporters that will greatly improve the quality, cost and reliability of container supply chains.

The project’s development is fully aligned with PRPA’s land use plan and intermodal development strategy. In addition to its commercial advantages, RIELP will result in stronger volumes for loaded export containers moving through the Port of Prince Rupert and a more sustainable balance in its intermodal import and export trade. The development of increased logistics capacity is seen by PRPA as a strategic prerequisite to supporting the stability of existing and future container volumes through Prince Rupert, and the trade, employment and economic opportunities they support.

Total capital investment in RIELP will be approximately $750 million, and is being provided by PRPA, Ray-Mont Logistics, CN, the Government of Canada, and the Government of BC.

Canada’s National Transportation Corridor Fund is providing $64.8 million and the Province’s Stronger BC program is providing $25 million toward the project.

PROJECT FACTS

• Estimated capital investment: $750 million
• Construction start: October 2023
• Projected construction workforce: 200 jobs (at peak)
• Projected operations start: Q3 2026
• Annual transload capacity: 400,000 TEUs
• Project development size: 108 acres
• New rail capacity: 20 kilometres of track
• Truck trips at full capacity: 1,200 daily return trips

SOURCE: Prince Rupert Port Authority

Alexander Global Logistics Opens New Country Office in United Arab Emirates

Sept. 9, 2023 - Alexander Global Logistics (AGL) in August opened a new country office in Dubai South, United Arab Emirates.

The establishment of the new country office coincides with a 10-year Strategic Partnership Agreement signed by AGL and AD Ports Group in May of 2022. According to the agreement, the two parties would collaborate to form and launch a transshipment hub in Abu Dhabi dedicated to handling pulp and paper products.

At the time of the signing of the agreement, Carsten Hellmers, CEO of AGL, said, “We are very excited about this project, as we have the strongest belief that the combination of expertise and knowledge of the industry brought into this Strategic Partnership Agreement by Alexander Global Logistics plus the unique location, abilities and resources provided by AD Ports Group will soon allow the pulp and paper industry to have a world-class terminal to serve customers in the Abu Dhabi hinterland and reach other destinations taking full advantage of the hub.”

Saif Al Mazrouei, CEO of Ports Cluster, AD Ports Group, added, “[The agreement] marks a key milestone in Khalifa Port’s ongoing development to support the UAE’s industrialisation efforts, and is also the first step in what we see as Abu Dhabi’s transformation into a regional leader for pulp and paper products.”

In November of 2022, AGL inaugurated a 30,000 square meter warehouse located less than 250 meters away from the new Port Khalifa South Quay.

AGL noted that Khalifa Port is a vital link connecting East and West trade, especially to fast growing markets such as India, Pakistan, and Turkey.

SOURCE:  Alexander Global Logistics GmbH

Georgia Ports Authority, CSX Offer New ‘Carolina Connector’ Service

Sept. 7, 2023 – North Carolina importers and exporters can now tap into a faster supply chain through a direct rail connection between the Port of Savannah and Rocky Mount, North Carolina via the CSX Carolina Connector (CCX) Intermodal terminal.

“This is an exciting logistics solution for existing and new customers across North Carolina,” said Georgia Ports Authority President and CEO Griff Lynch. “In collaboration with CSX, we’re offering daily access and faster service, bringing world-class port services to the doorstep of the area’s business and industry.”

The Georgia Ports Authority and CSX have teamed to provide 7-day-a-week rail departures between GPA’s Mason Mega Rail Terminal in Savannah and the Eastern North Carolina location, offering customers three-day ship-to-shore transit time.

“CSX is proud to be a part of this transformative partnership, which embodies our commitment to foster growth, connect markets and propel economic progress for the region,” said Kevin Boone, CSX Executive Vice President of Sales and Marketing. “The integration of GPA’s On-Dock Rail and the Inland Port at CCX signifies a leap forward in providing efficient, sustainable, and dynamic rail-to-truck inland port container service for our customers.”

CCX is located on an efficient, high-speed, high-capacity mainline rail route. Cargo departing the Port of Savannah is available to customers on the third day after leaving Garden City Terminal.

Faster Service

On-dock rail service expedites container handling. GPA’s Mason Mega Rail features 85 acres and 24 miles of on-terminal track, making it the largest intermodal facility on a port in the Americas with capacity to grow future cargo volumes.

Flexibility

Ample space at CCX, combined with longer-term storage options at the Port of Savannah’s new Garden City Terminal West yard will afford exporters greater scheduling flexibility.

“The GCT West yard allows importers to store retail goods or manufacturing components until they are needed, without the need to pay demurrage,” said GPA Vice President of Sales and Marketing Flavio Batista. “Similarly, exporters will be able to pre-stage their cargo on-terminal to await vessel loading.”

In Rocky Mount, CSX customers that have gate access via QR code can pick up or drop off containers on chassis seven days a week, from 8 a.m. to midnight. CSX customers that need a container lifted on or off a chassis will have access 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Location

CCX provides convenient, easy access to I-95 and features three wide-span, zero-emission electric cranes with a lift capacity of 110,000 containers per year. In addition to its remotely-operated electric cranes, CCX maximizes safe and efficient truck movement through the facility with CSX’s X-Gate technology, which automates the in-gate process, streamlines traffic flows and automatically inspects loads leaving the facility.

The new, state-of-the-art facility is built with security in mind, featuring berms, fences and cameras to ensure cargo security.

SOURCE: Georgia Ports Authority

Port of Kemi Expansion Project Enters Finishing and Testing Phases

Aug. 30, 2023 - Started in the spring 2021, the biggest expansion in the history of the Port of Kemi in Finland has moved ahead to finishing and testing phases.

According to the Port, expansion work has advanced as planned and finishing work as well as testing is now underway in the expansion area.

“At the moment, an inspection of the safe clearance depth is ongoing in the dock area according to the specifications of the Finnis Transport and Communications Agency Traficom.” said Jari Heikkilä, Technical Manager at Port of Kemi. “The inspection will be finished by the end of August, after which Traficom will give the green light for the new waterway.

“The expansion project has affected the entire port. For example, we have upgraded the ICT infrastructure and built new fresh water and sewage systems. Also, the quay numbers in Ajos have changed during the project,” Heikkilä said.

Port of Ajos is located approximately 10 km southwest from the city of Kemi in an island called Ajos. Among others, containers, forest industry products as well as various bulk products such as raw wood, papers fillers and scrap iron are shipped through it.

On August 10, the new quay and new electrical stowing equipment of the port operator Kemi Shipping were tested when cargo vessel Launkaline was moored on the new quay. The vessel visit was successful and it provided a valuable experience.

“Once we get the Traficom’s approval for the new waterway, much larger vessels can visit Port of Kemi,” Heikkilä added.

SOURCE: Port of Kemi