The Vancouver Fraser Port Authority announced the expansion of a centralized scheduling system for marine traffic to include the entire Burrard Inlet.
The system will allow the port authority to take an active role sequencing commercial ship movements in Burrard Inlet, which is home to 23 of the Port of Vancouver’s 29 major terminals.
Moreover, the system will enhance visibility of marine movements in Burrard Inlet enabling better coordination among port users and allowing ship, terminal and rail bridge operators to foresee demand and optimize operations. It is expected to help coordinate more than 5,000 movements of cargo vessels, cruise ships and tugs pulling barges every year.
The centralized scheduling system is key to the port authority-led Active Vessel Traffic Management Program and was initially rolled out in eastern Burrard Inlet in October 2023, supporting sequencing of cargo ships, tugs and barges visiting the six marine terminals east of the Second Narrows rail bridge.
Furthermore, the centralized scheduling system, co-developed with DHI SeaPort OPX, integrates advanced digital modeling such as weather forecasts and tides to help plan and optimize commercial ship movements in high-traffic areas of the Vancouver harbour.
The port authority is planning to expand the centralized scheduling system to the Fraser River by the end of 2025, to cover the entire Port of Vancouver.
