The Vancouver Fraser Port Authority is moving ahead with plans to dredge near Second Narrows in Burrard Inlet after receiving federal regulatory approval via a Fisheries Act authorization from Fisheries and Oceans Canada. The proposal involves slightly deepening the edges of the existing shipping lane to increase port capacity, enhance supply chain efficiency, and allow ships to fully load. The project directly supports Prime Minister Mark Carney’s goal of doubling Canadian exports to non-U.S. markets over the next decade.
Scheduled to start in September, the project includes dredging east of the Ironworkers Memorial Bridge, removing segments of decommissioned Metro Vancouver waterlines, and installing new navigation aids to support safe vessel movements. Deepening the channel edges will specifically allow Aframax-class ships leaving Trans Mountain’s Westridge Marine Terminal to load to full capacity by overcoming current draft restrictions.
To address environmental impacts, the federal authorization contains over 100 legally binding conditions to protect fish and fish habitat, which were informed by First Nation consultation. Next steps for the project require completing a Pacific Pilotage Authority-led Navigation Risk Assessment and a port authority-led review of navigation procedures to ensure safe transit for fully loaded ships.