VP Scott Weston Pinpoints Key Markets for Breakbulk and Project Cargo
By Simon West
Scott Weston, vice president of business development at DP World Canada, speaks to Breakbulk about the company’s ambitious expansion plans in Canada, the deployment of some exciting new shipping methods, and the key connections it is looking forward to making at Breakbulk Americas.
From Issue 5, 2024 of Breakbulk Magazine.
Q: Can you provide an overview of your company’s facilities in Canada?
A: DP World operates five terminals strategically located across Canada (Prince Rupert, Vancouver, Nanaimo, Fraser Surrey and Saint John), allowing us to effectively provide smart end-to-end logistics solutions for all our partners.
In Vancouver, DP World operates a full-service container terminal that allows for secure and efficient access to Asian and U.S. markets. DP World in Fraser Surrey, which is the largest multipurpose terminal on Canada’s West Coast, provides multimodal, steel, bulk and general cargo transportation options via all of Canada’s major railways, as well as road access. The terminal is well positioned to handle any breakbulk cargo and is equipped with “rotainer” capabilities, three quay cranes and covered storage capabilities.
The Fairview Container Terminal in Prince Rupert is a dedicated intermodal facility that’s been purpose-built to provide a high-velocity gateway for transpacific container trade. Since DP World took over operations back in 2015, cargo volumes have grown to over one million twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs), which can be credited to the significant investments in equipment and infrastructure that have been made over the last several years.
DP World in Saint John uniquely provides container stuffing/destuffing, breakbulk and cargo handling solutions within a designated on-terminal facility. The multimodal terminal serviced by three Class 1 railways offers the closest and most efficient access to North and South American and European markets at competitive costs. DP World Nanaimo offers fast and direct connections to and from Canada. The deep-sea multipurpose terminal offers efficient short-sea container shipping and breakbulk and cargo services. The terminal also boasts four acres of dedicated space for lumber stuffing and more than 25 acres of waterfront storage.
Q: Which sectors would you deem particularly important for breakbulk and project cargo operations in Canada? Are there any specific industries that are driving growth or shaping demand at your terminals?
A: DP World’s Canadian terminals are strategically positioned to serve a diverse range of industries, each influencing the terminal operations in unique ways due to their regional relevance and commodity-specific requirements. DP World ports in Canada handle breakbulk from any sector: marine services and agriculture to lumber and automotive. For example, our terminals on the West Coast serve as a key hub for handling breakbulk cargo such as lumber and forest products.
Through DP World’s partnership with Canpotex, our Saint John terminal has been handling potash, which is a crop nutrient that is crucial for global food production. These operations are indicative of the sectors that not only drive growth but also shape the demand dynamics at our terminals.
Q: Are there any planned or ongoing expansion projects at DP World’s facilities in Canada? If so, can you share details about the scale and scope of these projects?
A: DP World is actively engaged in several expansion projects at our Canadian terminals, with some recently completed and others still underway. Earlier this year, Port Saint John finished the first phase of the US$205 million West Side Modernization Project, which more than doubled its capacity to 325,000 TEUs and generated hundreds of local jobs. The project also brought in a new berth development and two new cranes that will allow Port Saint John to welcome larger vessels and accelerate throughput.
With the completion of phase two expected by the end of next year, the West Side Modernization Project will bring more efficiency and fluidity to the Canadian supply chain. At Nanaimo, the expansion of Duke Point Terminal includes the extension of the existing berth to 325 meters for international vessels and the replacement of the current diesel quay crane with two electric ones.
The project will finish in 2026 and will connect Nanaimo to global markets while supporting local communities. Additionally, the 2023 completion of the Centerm Expansion Project in the Port of Vancouver, which added two super-post Panamax cranes and increased throughput capacity to 1.5 million TEUs, represents a significant investment in the future of international trade and helps position British Columbia as a leader in sustainability.
Q: DP World has recently deployed some innovative shipping methods to improve its operations, such as “rotainers.” Can you explain how these are being utilized in Canada and what benefits they provide in terms of efficiency and safety?
A: DP World in Fraser Surrey is the first marine terminal in Western Canada to export dry bulk cargo using rotating containers, or rotainers. These specialized containers are rotated 360 degrees within a ship’s hold to efficiently unload the contents. This method significantly enhances the safety and efficiency of the cargo handling process by maintaining a fully sealed system from mine to ship. Additionally, around the hatch of each vessel’s hold is a mobile dust suppression unit that emits atomized water to eliminate fugitive dust, minimizing the environmental impact and the risk of product loss or contamination.
Q: Can you outline some other exciting solutions for handling bulk cargo that DP World has incorporated or plans to incorporate into its operations?
A: DP World uses unique shipping methods for bulk cargo across our Americas region and globally. For our roll-on, roll-off (RoRo) offerings, we developed a state of the art “Cars in Containers” solution, which allows us to fit more cars in 53-foot shipping containers and transport them by rail. These containers accommodate up to six vehicles versus the traditional four in a 40-foot container. We have been using these rail cars to transport finished vehicles from Mexico into the U.S.
Additionally, DP World has been ensuring our terminals can handle any kind of bulk cargo that comes our way. For example, at Brazil’s Port of Santos, DP World has partnered with Brazilian railway operator Rumo to build a terminal capable of handling 12.5 million tons annually of grains and fertilizers. DP World is continuing to uplevel our equipment offerings as well, prioritizing sustainability and efficiency. At the Port of Callao in Peru, we have added state-of-the-art electric equipment and have just built the first electric charging station for trucks in Latin America. This is all exciting stuff, but truly it’s just the beginning. We are focused on expanding the way we store and ship every kind of cargo globally.
Q: DP World will be participating as an exhibitor and sponsor at Breakbulk Americas. Who do you hope to connect with at the event and what relationships are you looking to establish or strengthen?
A: We are thrilled to be returning to Breakbulk Americas this year. The great thing about Breakbulk events is that they bring together industry leaders from across different sectors to discuss the evolution of the breakbulk market. We are looking forward to meeting potential customers, but also hearing insights from leaders on topics such as AI, sustainability and automotive, and discussing how we can better partner to ensure a smoother and more efficient breakbulk journey.
DP World is a Breakbulk Global Port Partner
TOP PHOTO: rotainer operations at DP World Canada's Fraser Surrey Docks, British Columbia
SECOND PHOTO: Scott Weston, vice president of business development at DP World Canada
THIRD PHOTO: DP World Canada's Duke Point Terminal, British Columbia
