Richardson International has received approval to expand its grain export terminal on the West Coast.
The Winnipeg grain company announced April 15 that Port Metro Vancouver had issued a permit allowing the expansion to proceed.
The project will add 80,000 tonnes of new storage capacity at Richardson’s grain export terminal in North Vancouver.
Construction is expected to begin immediately.
“We are very pleased to move forward with this project, as we see it as key to meeting growing demand from global markets,” said Darwin Sobkow, Richardson’s executive vice-president of agribusiness operations.
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“This expansion will allow us to serve both our farm customers and international buyers more effectively by increasing capacity to move Canadian grains and oilseeds to rapidly emerging markets in Asia-Pacific and around the world.”
The expansion, valued at $120 million, will consist of 28 concrete grain silos, each about 50 metres high, overlooking the Burrard Inlet in North Vancouver.
Company spokesperson Tracey Shelton said the project will increase throughput capacity at the terminal to five million tonnes annually, up from three million tonnes.
The company has been operating at maximum capacity at its terminal in Vancouver since 2008, she said.
Richardson president Curt Vossen called the project a significant investment that will benefit prairie farmers and allow the company to move Canadian grain and oilseeds to market more efficiently.
The expansion is expected to create hundreds of full-time jobs during the two-year construction period and an additional 40 to 50 permanent full-time positions once the expansion is complete.
“This is a significant investment in our business and the biggest investment in the Port of Vancouver in more than 20 years,” said Vossen.
“Through this project, we are creating jobs, supporting Port Metro Vancouver’s vision to grow the port and ultimately helping to increase Canadian trade by remaining competitive and ensuring continued access to global markets for prairie farmers.”
Not everyone sees the project as a reason to celebrate.
North Vancouver residents living in close proximity to the terminal say the project will have a negative impact on property values.
In a series of public meetings held over the past few months, opponents of the project said the expansion would block waterfront views and decrease residential property values by $20 million for 100 residents.
Construction is expected to be complete in 2015.
