The measures include “specific times for unloading and loading containers between vessels and rail cars, dwell times at the terminal, and Canadian national transit times to markets in Canada and the US”.
“This agreement will permit transparency in data collection, and encourage balanced accountability of port stakeholders. I also want to recognise Maher Terminals as the first container terminal operator to engage in electronic data interchange with CN, a major step forward allowing both parties to quickly capture and measure all events in the supply chain, from container vessel discharge at port to arrival at final destination,” said Claude Mongeau, CN President and Chief Executive
“This agreement further underscores the excellent relationship and level of cooperation among CN, PRPA and Maher. In the relatively short period of time since start-up of operations in late 2007, the Prince Rupert Gateway has distinguished itself as the premier service provider for the transpacific trade. The Level of Service Agreement further enhances the commitment amongst the stakeholders to provide superior levels of service to ocean carriers and shippers alike,” John Buckley , Maher Terminals President and Chief Executive added.
The new terminal at Prince Rupert was built to compete with established US west coast gateways for Asian transpacific container traffic destined for the US Midwest and Canada. In 2009 the terminal handled 265,000 TEU and has an annual capacity of 500,000 TEU. A second phase of development has been drawn up that would see annual capacity grow to 2 million TEU.