Prince Rupert Puts Hope in New Asian-Focused Container Port
Prince Rupert, British Columbia is in the midst of developing new container handling facilities, which upon completion will make it the closest North American container port to Asia. The developers and citizens of Prince Rupert hope this proximity will bring with it a steady stream of goods imported from Asia for the North American market. And with those goods will hopefully come jobs.
Sailing from Shanghai to Prince Rupert instead of Vancouver shaves 435 miles or 36 hours off of the sailing time. Furthermore, the new facility hopes to have the goods off the ship and on the highway/railway faster than other busier ports which are for the most part located in urban areas. The downside of course is the same thing which lends Prince Rupert its advantage, that is to say its location. While goods might get from Shanghai to Prince Rupert 36 hours faster than to Vancouver, they end up in Prince Rupert. The lucrative American, and Central Canadian markets are much further away. Hopefully the cooperation of CN Rail will ensure reliable and fast transit links to help mitigate Prince Rupert's geographic difficulties.
Link: http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/business/1310AP_Canada_Port_of_Prince_Rupert.html