Will the $3 Billion Roberts Bank Terminal 2 Project Transform Global Shipping?

A $3 billion mega-project is set to transform the Port of Vancouver and potentially the global shipping landscape. The Roberts Bank Terminal 2 Project promises to add much-needed capacity as global trade demands surge.

With construction planned to begin in 2028 and operations by the mid-2030s, the terminal could boost Canada’s west coast container capacity by more than 30%. This expansion comes as existing terminals approach their limits.

How will Roberts Bank Terminal 2 impact global shipping routes?

Roberts Bank Terminal 2 will provide an additional 2.4 million twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) of annual capacity, supporting the movement of over $100 billion in goods each year. The new three-berth terminal will be built adjacent to the current Deltaport and Westshore Terminals in Delta, British Columbia.

The project is designed to handle up to 260 ships and more than 2.4 million containers a year, making Vancouver a critical gateway for Asian trade. As supply chains become more complex, this expansion could redirect shipping flows and ease congestion at other major North American ports.

Did you know?
The Port of Vancouver is the fourth largest in North America by tonnage and already handles as much cargo as Canada’s next five largest ports combined.

Could the project redefine supply chain resilience for North America?

With West Coast marine container terminals forecast to hit capacity by the late 2020s, the new terminal is seen as essential for national supply chain resilience. The Vancouver Fraser Port Authority, which is leading the project, says it will bolster Canada’s economic security and trade diversification, especially with Asia.

The terminal is expected to generate over 18,000 construction jobs and more than 17,000 permanent positions once operational. It will contribute an estimated $3 billion annually to Canada’s GDP and provide $631 million in tax revenue, supporting services for Canadians.

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The terminal will add 2.4 million TEUs of capacity annually.

The Roberts Bank Terminal 2 Project will transform more than 1.7 square kilometers of subtidal and tidal waters into a state-of-the-art facility. The expansion will also include new rail infrastructure, road connections, and an expanded tugboat basin, further enhancing the port’s logistics capabilities.

The project has received approval from the Canadian government and consent from 27 First Nations, reflecting a broad coalition of support. Environmental requirements are strict, with ongoing monitoring to protect critical habitats for migratory birds and marine life.

Roberts Bank Terminal 2 aims to boost Canada’s trade with Asia.

Canada’s government sees the terminal as a nation-building project to reduce economic reliance on the US and strengthen ties with Asian markets. The expansion is expected to unlock over $100 billion in new trade capacity, making Vancouver a linchpin in global supply chains.

While some environmental and labor concerns remain, the project’s scale and ambition are clear. As global shipping patterns evolve, the Roberts Bank Terminal 2 Project stands poised to make Vancouver a central hub for trans-Pacific trade, with ripple effects across North America and beyond.