The Port Alberni Port Authority (PAPA) is working toward plans to transport Liquefied Natural Gas through the Alberni Inlet, and PAPA just took a small step toward that goal with funding for a feasibility study for a shipping port now secured.
Peter Van Loan, leader of the Government in the House of Commons, arrived in Port Alberni July 3 to announce federal funding for a study to develop a Container Trans-Shipment and Short-Sea Shipping port in the Alberni Inlet. Canada will provide up to $225,000 through the Asia Pacific Gateway Canada Initiative for the study.
Zoran Knezevic, Port Manager/CEO, said the LNG plan is something the Port Authority hopes to work towards for the future.
“It’s just an idea, but it’s in the backs of our minds,” said Chief Jeff Cook of Huu-ay-aht First Nation. Huu-ay-aht and other local First Nations are working with PAPA. The study is expected to be complete by March 2014. It could be eight to 10 years before construction of the shipping port is complete.
“This is big news for Port Alberni,” said Knezevic. “It is a big step forward to achieve our dream of being a larger player in the Asia-Pacific Gateway.”
PAPA applied for the funding in its effort to revitalize the local economy. Having a shipping container port in the Alberni Inlet would create a transport hub; a regional distribution center, Knezevic said.
“We could intercept container vessels destined for Vancouver or Seattle/Tacoma; we would offload and sort the cargo then ship them out in barges on the final leg of the journey,” he explained.
Knezevic said they are looking at a 750-hectare site located about 35 km up the Alberni Inlet near Coleman and Spencer Creeks. The site is Huu-ay-aht Treaty Settlement Land, and Knezevic says PAPA has great support from First Nations.
Chief Cook says it’s a huge opportunity in terms of employment for the whole area. A lease agreement for the site would bring revenue to his nation and there would also be spin-off business opportunities.
A shipping port in Huu-ay-aht territory could also mean road improvements to the remote community of Anacla and Bamfield.
The Asia-Pacific Gateway and Corridor Initiative (APGCI) is a large-scale shipping network plan designed to enhance trade with the Asia-Pacific region. Its mission is to develop and strengthen Canada’s Asia-Pacific Gateway and Corridor network in order to facilitate global supply chains between North America and Asia.
Dr. James Lunney, MP, Nanaimo-Alberni, talked about the days when the city’s Port Authority was an economic driver shipping lumber to China after a devastating earthquake.
“We want to bring those days back,” he said. “BC is a key link between Canada and Asia and we want to ensure Canada has access to the markets,” he added.
Canada is investing $1.4 billion in pro-trade infrastructure projects.
“We have the Free Trade Agreement with the U.S. and we are close to a European Trade Agreement,” said Van Loan, adding that short sea shipping is how Port Alberni will fit into the broader network of trade.
According to government sources, a shipping container port could lessen congestion on local highways, provide jobs and provide a boost to the local economy. Not only would the City of Port Alberni benefit financially from this facility, but also the regional district and local first nations.
“The APGCI is a key element of the Government of Canada’s pro-trade plan to open new markets that increase Canadian exports and create jobs and prosperity,” said Ed Fast, minister of International Trade and minister for the Asia-Pacific Gateway, in a statement.
“Our government is committed to helping Canadian exporters reach fast-growing Asia-Pacific markets by continuing to boost Canada’s competitive advantages,” said Van Loan.
