The Vancouver Fraser Port Authority has received all required federal permits to begin dredging sections of Burrard Inlet beneath the Second Narrows Bridge, with work scheduled to begin in September. The project will deepen parts of the navigation channel, allowing Aframax tankers serving the Trans Mountain pipeline to load more cargo before departing. Port officials say the work will improve shipping efficiency without increasing the size or number of vessels using the waterway and will be carried out under more than 50 environmental conditions. Environmental organizations have raised concerns about potential impacts on marine habitats and contaminated sediments, while the port authority maintains that mitigation and monitoring measures will minimize environmental risks. The project also includes the removal of decommissioned waterlines and the installation of new navigation aids.

Alberta is exploring opportunities to increase crude oil exports to Japan as part of efforts to diversify Canadian energy markets and reduce Japan’s reliance on Middle Eastern oil supplies. Provincial officials have been discussing potential investments to help Japanese refiners process heavier Canadian crude and are examining blending options to better match refinery requirements. The initiative follows the expansion of the Trans Mountain pipeline, which has increased Canada’s ability to export oil to Asia through the Pacific Coast. Discussions are also seen as supporting Alberta’s longer-term goal of developing additional west coast export capacity. The talks come as Canada seeks to broaden export markets and strengthen energy trade relationships beyond the United States.

Cargill has signed agreements with Parrish & Heimbecker (P&H) to acquire three grain elevators in Alberta and Saskatchewan, along with a 50 per cent interest in the Fraser Grain Terminal in Surrey, British Columbia. The transaction would expand Cargill’s grain-handling and export capacity across Western Canada, strengthening connections between prairie grain production and international markets. The assets were previously part of the GrainsConnect network acquired by P&H in late 2025. The proposed sale remains subject to regulatory approval, including review by the Competition Bureau. Cargill says the acquisition supports its long-term investment strategy in Canadian agriculture and grain export infrastructure.

The federal government has announced $16 million in funding for five clean energy projects across British Columbia, Yukon, and the Northwest Territories, including support for a proposed wind project near Prince Rupert. The Metlakatla Development Corporation will receive $2 million to advance feasibility work for the Metlakatla Mount Hays Wind Project, a proposed 40-megawatt wind farm that would be 100 per cent First Nation-owned. The project aims to increase electricity supply capacity in the Prince Rupert region and support future economic development. Additional funding was also awarded to renewable energy initiatives in Vanderhoof and Penticton. The investments form part of broader federal efforts to support clean energy development and advance Canada’s planned National Electricity Strategy.

Port Alberni welcomed its first cruise ship visit since 2019 as The World, a luxury residential cruise vessel, docked at the city’s waterfront. The arrival brought hundreds of passengers and crew ashore, boosting activity at local businesses, the farmers market, and tourist attractions. Community members gathered to welcome visitors, highlighting the importance of cruise tourism to the local economy. Port officials noted that the visit provides valuable economic benefits and supports efforts to diversify the region’s economy. The Port Alberni Port Authority is continuing discussions to attract additional cruise ship calls in future years.

South Korea’s Hanwha Ocean has signed a memorandum of understanding with Kanata Clean Power & Climate Technologies to explore cooperation on the proposed Kanata floating LNG export project near Prince Rupert, British Columbia. The project is planned to have an export capacity of up to 12 million tonnes of LNG annually, with estimated capital costs of approximately $15.7 billion. The agreement will examine opportunities in engineering, construction, operations, LNG shipping, potential equity participation, and long-term LNG offtake arrangements. Kanata LNG is being developed as a modular, marine-based export facility aimed at serving Asian markets from Canada’s West Coast. While the agreement is non-binding, it represents an early step in advancing the project toward potential future investment and development decisions.

A humpback whale known as Artemis was successfully disentangled from fishing gear off the coast of Vancouver Island after a four-day rescue effort involving the Canadian Armed Forces and Fisheries and Oceans Canada. The whale was first spotted entangled in the Strait of Georgia and was closely monitored while crews worked to remove the ropes safely. Officials said the operation highlights the importance of collaboration and vigilance in protecting marine wildlife. The incident also draws attention to the ongoing issue of ghost gear, abandoned, lost, or discarded fishing equipment, which remains a significant threat to marine species worldwide. Fisheries and Oceans Canada estimates that hundreds of thousands of tonnes of ghost gear enter the oceans each year.

The federal government has launched the public consultation process for a proposed liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) export facility at the Port of Prince Rupert. The Impact Assessment Agency of Canada is inviting public comments until July 24 as part of the project's planning phase and is also seeking participants for the assessment process. The proposed development by Trigon Pacific Terminals includes rail unloading infrastructure, large-scale LPG storage tanks, and marine loading facilities for export shipments. Trigon is partly owned by the Lax Kw’alaams Band and the Metlakatla First Nation, making the project a significant Indigenous partnership on British Columbia’s North Coast. The consultation marks the first step in the federal impact assessment process for the proposed export terminal.

The British Columbia government is reviewing potential design and construction changes for the new Fraser River Tunnel project in an effort to reduce costs, accelerate delivery, and minimize environmental impacts. The province is also engaged in discussions with the federal government regarding potential funding support for the project. Following the decision to re-tender the final construction phase, the project will now be divided into several smaller contracts rather than a single large package. Early construction activities continue, including site preparation and casting basin works on Deas Island, while major construction is expected to begin next year. Although questions remain regarding the final cost and schedule, the province maintains that the planned eight-lane tunnel, including a multi-use pedestrian and cycling pathway, remains unchanged.

FortisBC’s proposed Tilbury Phase 2 LNG Expansion project has entered the effects assessment and recommendation stage of British Columbia’s environmental assessment process. The proposal includes a new LNG storage tank, expanded liquefaction capacity, natural gas receiving facilities, and supporting infrastructure at the existing Tilbury LNG facility in Delta. The Environmental Assessment Office is seeking public feedback on its draft assessment report and proposed provincial and federal conditions before submitting final recommendations to provincial and federal decision-makers. This marks the fourth and final public comment period for the project. Following the consultation, both the Province of British Columbia and the federal government will independently decide whether the project may proceed.

Canada Border Services Agency officers have seized more than 520 kilograms of opium concealed within a marine shipping container at the Tsawwassen Container Examination Facility in British Columbia. The shipment was flagged for inspection through intelligence-sharing efforts between Canadian and U.S. authorities, resulting in a detailed examination with detector dogs and X-ray technology. Officers discovered the drugs hidden inside industrial paper rolls and removed the contraband from circulation. Officials described the seizure as a significant enforcement action aimed at disrupting organized crime networks and preventing illicit drugs from entering Canadian communities.

Ontario is investing $2.8 million through the Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corporation to support infrastructure improvements at the Port of Thunder Bay and the Peninsula Harbour Port Authority in Marathon. The funding will help expand cargo storage capacity at Thunder Bay’s Keefer Terminal and support the development of a new marine terminal in Marathon. Provincial officials say the projects will strengthen domestic supply chains, support east-west trade, and reduce reliance on U.S. markets. The Port of Thunder Bay, a key gateway within the Great Lakes-St. Lawrence Seaway system, handled more than 10 million tonnes of cargo in 2025. The Marathon marine terminal is expected to be operational by late 2027, creating new opportunities for regional economic development and trade.

Washington State Ferries is continuing its transition to a hybrid-electric fleet while addressing the operational challenges of maintaining one of North America’s largest ferry systems. The agency is balancing fleet renewal, vessel shortages, ageing infrastructure, and workforce development as it works toward a more reliable and lower-emission operation. Lessons learned from its first hybrid-electric vessel conversion have prompted a reassessment of retrofit projects, while new hybrid ferries under construction are expected to play a key role in the long-term modernization strategy. The program also includes major investments in terminal charging infrastructure and employee training to support future operations.

Canola plantings in the United States are expected to reach a record high in 2026, surpassing the previous national peak of 2.7 million acres. Growth is being driven by strong demand for renewable diesel and other biofuels, encouraging expansion beyond traditional growing regions in North Dakota into southern states such as Kentucky, Tennessee, and Missouri. Industry leaders also point to strong yields in 2025 and attractive pricing opportunities as key factors behind increased planting intentions. New processing capacity and biofuel investments are further supporting demand for canola as a feedstock. The expansion highlights the growing integration of North American canola markets, with U.S. demand continuing to rely heavily on Canadian production.

The Barstow City Council has approved BNSF Railway’s proposed Barstow International Gateway, a major intermodal logistics hub expected to cost between $1.5 billion and $4 billion. The 4,500-acre facility will expand rail capacity for cargo moving through the Los Angeles–Long Beach port complex and is intended to improve supply chain efficiency while reducing truck traffic on Southern California highways. Supporters say the project will create thousands of jobs and strengthen freight transportation networks, while opponents have raised concerns about environmental impacts, infrastructure demands, and community effects. The project still faces further environmental review, but has cleared a significant local approval milestone.

This year’s Day of the Seafarer, observed on June 25, highlights the vital contribution of seafarers to global trade under the theme “Carrying world trade. Carrying the risks.” The observance comes as the International Maritime Organization has temporarily paused its evacuation plan for thousands of seafarers stranded in the Persian Gulf after a new security incident in the Gulf of Oman. IMO officials stressed that the safety and welfare of seafarers remain the highest priority while reassessing conditions for safe navigation. Both the IMO and the United Nations used the occasion to emphasize that seafarers should never become victims of geopolitical conflict. The annual event serves as a reminder of the essential role maritime workers play in keeping global supply chains moving despite increasing operational and security risks.

New industry data indicates that a container ship fire now occurs approximately every 17 days worldwide, with misdeclared or undeclared dangerous cargoes remaining a leading cause. The World Shipping Council and Allianz Commercial say lithium-ion batteries and hazardous chemicals are increasingly contributing to shipboard fires, creating significant risks for crews, cargo, and the marine environment. As battery shipments continue to grow, industry organizations are calling for stronger cargo declaration compliance, enhanced fire safety standards, and stricter regulatory enforcement. The World Shipping Council has also expanded the use of artificial intelligence to identify potentially misdeclared cargo before it is loaded. The findings underscore the continuing importance of cargo safety as larger vessels and increasing battery shipments raise the potential consequences of onboard fires.

A new workforce report from the BIMCO and the International Chamber of Shipping warns that the global shipping industry will require an additional 113,735 STCW-certified officers by 2030 to meet growing demand. The report estimates that 2.57 million seafarers currently serve aboard more than 85,000 merchant vessels worldwide, with a projected officer shortage of 39,100 in 2026 despite a surplus of ratings. To meet future workforce needs, the industry will need to recruit approximately 22,700 officers and 8,500 ratings annually through 2030. Demand for certified seafarers has increased significantly since 2021, driven by fleet growth and post-pandemic recovery. The report emphasizes the importance of promoting maritime careers, investing in training and retention, and ensuring seafarers are equipped with the skills required to support new fuels and emerging technologies.

Efforts to restore commercial shipping through the Strait of Hormuz have suffered a setback after the containership Ever Lovely was reportedly struck by a drone shortly after transiting the waterway. While no injuries were reported and the vessel remained seaworthy, the incident prompted the International Maritime Organization to temporarily suspend its evacuation operation for ships stranded in the Gulf. The evacuation plan, which aimed to assist more than 11,000 seafarers and support the gradual resumption of vessel movements, had been launched following agreements involving regional states and industry stakeholders. Industry groups, including BIMCO, expressed concern that the attack could undermine confidence in recently established transit corridors and delay the recovery of shipping traffic through the strategic waterway.

Artemis Technologies is advancing zero-emission pilot transfer operations with its fully electric Artemis EF-12 Pilot, a foiling pilot boat designed to improve safety, stability, and operational efficiency. The vessel can carry four passengers, reach speeds of up to 30 knots, and offers a foiling range of approximately 47 nautical miles with ultra-fast charging in under one hour. Developed in consultation with pilot organizations, the vessel has undergone extensive testing, including ship transfer trials with multiple vessel types. Artemis says the design reduces vessel motions during pilot transfers, lowers operating costs, and eliminates operational emissions, supporting the maritime industry's transition toward more sustainable pilotage services.