February 27, 1998 : In keeping with a fine marine tradition, the Honourable David Collenette, Minister of Transport, today dedicated Fraser River Port's Berth 9, the newest addition to Canada's trade infrastructure located at the Fraser Surrey Docks deep-sea terminal on the Fraser River.

The berth was part of a $19 million capital expansion program that included an on-dock rail line, a 130,000 sq. ft. pulp shed, a new container entrance gate and a 6 acre marshalling area. Completed over a year ago, the berth investment has increased the terminal's capacity to handle international cargo especially forest products, steel and containers.

In 1997, international cargo volumes through Fraser River Port increased by 500,000 tonnes up to 2.5 million tonnes. The new berth helped boost number of ship arrivals up to 488 compared to 360 the previous year. Container traffic saw a 40% boost to 18,778 TEUs. Including domestic cargo, shipments through Fraser River Port totalled 22 million tonnes.

Fraser River Harbour Commission which administers Fraser River Port believes it has a solid infrastructure which merits its designation as a national port authority in the new Canada Marine Act which is pending ratification by the Senate. When the Act is implemented, the Fraser River Port Authority is well equipped to continue supporting the trade objectives of businesses in British Columbia and Canada.

For more information contact:

Raija Orava
Manager, Public Affairs
Fraser River Port Authority
Tel. (604) 524-6655