Global terminal operator DP World's newest terminal expansion was officially opened earlier this week in Vancouver in a ceremony attended by British Columbia's Minister of Transportation, Kevin Falcon, and DP World Chairman Sultan Ahmed Bin Sulayem.

Construction of the $140 million project began in the third quarter of 2004 and the first phase of the expansion was recently completed when the second of the renewed berths began taking vessel calls.  The renewed berths now accommodate vessels to a depth of 15.5 metres.

The extension takes capacity at the terminal from 360,000 twenty-foot equivalent units(TEUs) to 800,000 TEUs.  There is also potential to further expand the terminal to reach a capacity of 1.2 million TEUs.  

The terminal became part of the DP World network with the acquisition earlier this year of P&O group.

Sultan Ahmed Bin Sulayem said: "Vancouver has considerable potential as a gateway terminal to Canada and also to the United States.  As cargo moves north in order to avoid congestion that continues to put pressure on west coast ports, Vancouver will benefit.  But, importantly, Vancouver is a destination port itself, and we see demand for quality marine terminal services increasing over time."