Having experienced a strong 2006 performance, the port is expected to continue its growth through 2007, particularly with the conversion of its Fairview Terminal to a 500,000 TEU (20-foot equivalent unit) container handling facility that's expected to be completed by October of this year.

Despite Fairfiew's closing during the year for the conversion  from a break-bulk terminal to a container facility, in 2006 the port handled 7.7 metric tonnes of commodities compared to 4.4 million metric tonnes in 2005.

The port points out that with its conversion, the Fairview Terminal will be the first pure intermodal port in North American and the West Coast link in a new Asia-North American Midwest Express Gateway.

“2006 was a turning point for the Port of Prince Rupert in its aggressive transformation from a regional port to become a competitive participant in the global economy,” says  Port Authority Board of Directors chair, Dale MacLean. “We are looking forward to working with our Port partners and stakeholders along the Northwest Transportation Corridor to capitalize on the enormous opportunities presented by Asia to our collective benefit.”