PRINCE RUPERT, British Columbia — The CN-served Port of Prince Rupert received a major boost today when AltaGas and Vopak decided to move forward with their $1.35 billion liquefied petroleum gas and bulk liquids terminal on Ridley Island.
The first phase of the Ridley Island Energy Export Facility, which is scheduled to open by the end of 2026, will have the capacity to export 55,000 barrels of LPG per day, including propane and butane. That translates into roughly 62 tank cars per day that Canadian National will deliver to the facility, which will be able to handle unit trains.
The terminal will be built on a 190-acre site adjacent to AltaGas and Vopak’s existing Ridley Island Propane Export Terminal, on land leased from the Prince Rupert Port Authority. The project, the largest in the port’s history, has received permits to construct storage tanks, a new dedicated jetty, rail and other infrastructure.
AltaGas opened the Ridley Island Propane Export Terminal – Canada’s first – in 2019. The terminal receives 50 to 60 tank cars per day from British Columbia and Alberta. Last year the terminal shipped nearly 2 million tonnes, according to port data.
The Port of Prince Rupert has seen its overall tonnage decline for three straight years. The decline reflects shifting global shipping routes, soft demand for imports, and competition with other North American trade gateways for discretionary cargo, the port says.
Last year CN CEO Tracy Robinson said she could foresee the day when traffic on the BC North Line to Prince Rupert would double to roughly 50 trains per day.
“Last year CN CEO Tracy Robinson said she could foresee the day when traffic on the BC North Line to Prince Rupert would double to roughly 50 trains per day.”
Not if the Greens get involved.