“Extending gate hours increases capacity, helps alleviate congestion at the terminals and speeds up transaction times,” said Captain Chris Badger, Vancouver Port Authority vice president of customer development and operations. The port authority announced a 20% increase in hours of operations at container terminals and off-dock facilities. The facilities added a Tuesday evening gate in a pilot program that began July 4, 2006. In addition, said the authority, port terminals currently operate extended gates at least one other evening each week.
“For this initiative to be successful, the port will have to work closely with all stakeholders including the shipping community, labor organizations, local municipalities and the [Canadian] provincial government,” said Badger.
The five off-dock facilities participating in the Extended Gates Program include Bridge Terminal Transport, Coast 2000 Terminals, Canadian Intermodal Services, Delta Container, and Marco Marine Container.
