This week, Business in Vancouver launched it inaugural BC500 list of leaders that includes the "province's most prominent drivers of BC's economic success and prosperity. In the Industry Category, several leaders were prominent from the ports and shipping community representing port authorities, terminal operators, shipyards, and marine transportation associations. The leaders in the marine industry community included:

 

Ian Anderson, Trans Mountain Corp.
Rob Booker, Ridley Terminals Inc.
Duana Kipling, Neptune Terminals
Mark Kremin, Teekay Gas Group Ltd.
Mark Lamarre, Seaspan Shipyards
Kleo Landucci, Ashcroft Terminal Ltd.
Mike Leonard, British Columbia Maritime Employers Association
Robert Lewis-Manning, Chamber of Shipping
Ian McIver, Seaspan Marine Transportation
Maksim Mihic, DP World (Canada) Inc.
Bill Mooney, Western Group
Andre Olivier, Pacific Coast Terminals Co. Ltd.
Ted Pickell, Stewart World Port
Robin Silvester, Vancouver Fraser Port Authority
Diane Sparrow, Vancouver Fraser Port Authority
Shaun Stevenson, Prince Rupert Port Authority
Eric Waltz, Global Container Terminals Canada
Kyle Washington, The Washington Companies

The BC Government announced that a new eight-lane immersed-tube tunnel will replace the George Massey Tunnel on Highway 99, providing people a toll-free crossing that aligns with regional interests and improves transit, cycling and walking connections across the Fraser River. The new eight-lane tunnel will be in operation in 2030, with the cost estimated at $4.15 billion. Two options were presented in the business case – an eight-lane tunnel and eight-lane bridge. Both options were given serious consideration. The tunnel was chosen as the best option, because it:
• best meets regional vision/interests, as endorsed by the Metro Vancouver Board;
• limits any new visual, noise, shading and lighting impacts over the life of the structure;
• has the fewest impacts to agricultural land and will not introduce new navigational restrictions to the Fraser River;
• allows for work to start immediately on the bottleneck areas of the Highway 99 corridor;
• best facilitates the movement of trucks and cyclists with a much lower overall elevation change; and
• provides protection from inclement weather for everyone who uses this crossing.

The ports of Long Beach and Los Angeles continue to encounter a flood of imports arriving as US businesses restock their inventories and prepare for the holiday shopping season. Over thirty-five vessels have been anchored off the ports as the domestic supply chain also struggles to cope with the increased volumes. Containers are dwelling for an average of nine to 10 days before they move inland, compared with a pre-pandemic average of two to three days. Last year, despite the impacts of the pandemic, the two ports moved a combined record 17 million TEUs and this year the ports are forecast to surpass that and move a combined 19 million TEUs.

The US Coast Guard has deployed some of its vessels, aircraft, and other assets in response to a request from the Haitian government following a magnitude 7.2 earthquake that struck the country last Saturday, August 14, killing more than 1,200 people and destroying over 900 homes and other structures.  Admiral Brendan McPherson, Coast Guard Seventh District Commander, has said that cutters will remain offshore and will be on standby to assist the citizens of Haiti and to support agency response locally while helicopters and aircrews are transporting medical personnel and evacuating those requiring higher levels of care.

Maersk is partnering with REintegrate to produce carbon natural e-methanol as part of Maersk's efforts to develop the alternate fuel for its first dual-fuel methanol-powered vessel. REintegrate has been pursuing the production of green e-methanol in its test laboratory in Aalborg.  Plans call for the new facility to produce the approximately 10,000 tons of e-methanol that Maersk’s first vessel will require annually while in service. Earlier this year, Maersk announced that it would begin to explore methanol through the operation of a pilot vessel, a feeder operated by a Maersk subsidiary, Sealand Europe, on a Baltic shipping route. The energy needed for the power-to-methanol production will be provided by a solar farm located in southern Denmark.

A continued downward trend in Somali piracy has prompted leading shipping organisations to reduce the geographic boundaries of the ‘High Risk Area’ (HRA) for piracy in the Indian Ocean, which will apply from 1 September 2021. In broad terms, the changes agreed by BIMCO, ICS, INTERCARGO, INTERTANKO, and OCIMF, representing the global shipping and oil industries, will reduce the HRA boundaries to the Yemeni and Somali Territorial Seas and Exclusive Economic Zones in its eastern and southern reaches. The organisations, in consultation with international partners, will also take a comprehensive new approach to assessing international maritime security threats to allow shipowners and operators to fully gauge the risk of voyages worldwide. This second step is expected to be completed by 31 December.  Further details and new coordinates may be found here.

The Seafarers International Relief Fund (SIRF) was established to create a central Fund to respond to the increasing and desperate needs of seafarers resulting from the pandemic.  The SIRF appeal was launched in May this year amid the rampant outbreak of COVID-19 in India.  This Emergency Appeal is being coordinated by The Seafarers’ Charity and is supported by The Mission to Seafarers, Stella Maris, ISWAN, Sailors’ Society, ICMA and other charities, working alongside all key industry players who will make a difference to support Indian seafarers and their families. Funds raised will be distributed to the supporting charities. For more information or to make a donation click here.

What could be better in the summer than chartering a luxury yacht for cruising? Launched by renowned yacht builder Overmarine in 2021, the stunning 109-foot (33.30m) motor yacht DOPAMINE is sleek and stylish with elegant, powerful lines. It is sportier, faster and more efficient than other yachts in the same range with enhanced technology that is second to none. One of the most stunning aesthetic features of DOPAMINE is the decidedly aggressive bow. This powerful yacht has a 26-knot running speed and a 21-knot cruising speed. Guests will enjoy total comfort while aboard thanks to a modern stabilization system that works while underway and at zero speed. DOPAMINE is a member of the Mangusta GranSport line. She offers both top performance and a longer range.  The interior spaces of DOPAMINE were designed by the owner’s team, the exterior design is by Alberto Mancini and the naval architecture is courtesy of Overmarine. Timeless styling, beautiful furnishings and sumptuous seating are found throughout, creating an elegant and comfortable atmosphere. The well-thought-out interior spaces are both functional and chic – a hallmark of the Mangusta brand. What's holdng you back?

Built: 2021
LOA: 33 metres
Cabins: 5
Guests: 10
Crew 5