The following is information on the proposed Terminal 2 expansion from the Vancouver Port Authority website:

VPA is taking the next step in the continued development of its Roberts Bank container expansion, and will be issuing a Request for Proposals (RFP) to a short-list of qualified companies willing to partner with VPA on its future Terminal 2 project.

The first step in the multi-year planning process for this project, a Request for Expressions of Interest (RFEI), was issued in June 2007. Qualified companies willing to partner with the VPA to undertake planning, environmental approval, financing, construction and operations for Terminal 2 were invited to make submissions.

The RFEI concluded in July with the selection of a shortlist of four firms, all of whom who have demonstrated experience in the planning, development and operation of comparable terminals.

"VPA is very pleased with the high caliber of companies that have expressed interest in the Terminal 2 project," said Gordon Houston, Vancouver Port Authority President and CEO. "Short-listed candidates are four of the top terminal operators in the world. This is a vote of confidence in the Port of Vancouver as a world-class gateway, and further demonstrates the increasing demand for container facilities in the Pacific Northwest." Short-listed candidates are:

• APM Terminals North America Inc. / SNC-Lavalin Inc.
• DP World Investments FZE
• Hutchison Ports Development Ltd
• PSA Americas Pte Ltd

The process of reviewing proposals and selecting a partner is expected to take approximately eight months.

Once the VPA has selected its Terminal 2 partner, both parties will then commence work on the development of the conceptual and environmental plans for the project. These plans will be developed in consultation with the community and the relevant environmental agencies.

The proposed Terminal 2 project is anticipated to have a capacity of approximately 2 million Twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs).

The schedule for Terminal 2 is yet to be determined.

The development of Terminal 2 is part of a broader VPA initiative to expand container terminal facilities at the Port of Vancouver in response to the surging growth in containerized trade with expanding Pacific Rim nations.

For more information:
Program Information Line: 604-665-9337
Fax: 1-866-284-4271