New Collaboration Initiative for Container Drayage Sector Signals Change:

Service improvements, efficiency and reliability underscored

METRO VANCOUVER, July 19, 2012 /CNW/ - Port Metro Vancouver and industry partners in the container drayage sector have announced a new collaboration initiative aimed directly at improving productivity and performance through Canada's Pacific Gateway.

Through the efforts of the newly formed Container Drayage Leadership Team, including Terminal Systems Inc. (TSI), DP World (DPW), Fraser Surrey Docks (FSD), Port Metro Vancouver, BC Trucking Association (BCTA), BC Chamber of Shipping (CoS) and the Western Canadian Shippers Coalition (WCSC); an agreement in principle has been reached that sets out a new approach to an integrated container drayage sector with increased coordination between container terminal operators and Port Metro Vancouver.

The collaboration initiative sets the framework for the Port, container trucking community and container terminals to develop benchmark service standards and the mechanisms to define, measure, monitor and evaluate performance of each participant against the established benchmarks. The initiative will also establish processes to proactively communicate on service-related matters and resolve disputes between the container terminals, container trucking community, Port Metro Vancouver and supply chain partners, on a commercial basis.

"Thanks to the Container Drayage Leadership Team for their commitment to tangibly improve the supply chain. PMV has seen a sustained increase in container volumes, representing great news for container terminals, the container drayage sector and the economy; but with growth comes the need to improve our business with efficient transactions at each point along the supply chain," said Peter Xotta, Vice President Planning and Operations, Port Metro Vancouver. "Today's agreement marks a new beginning; by working collaboratively, we will see better outcomes that benefit everyone."

Port Metro Vancouver is Canada's largest and North America's most diversified port, trading $75 billion in goods with more than 160 trading economies annually. Port activities generate 129,500 total jobs across Canada, $10.5 billion in GDP and $22 billion in economic output.

Support for New Collaboration Initiative for Container Drayage Sector

Metro Vancouver: Port Metro Vancouver and industry partners in the container drayage sector recently announced a new collaboration initiative aimed directly at improving productivity and performance through Canada's Pacific Gateway.

"PMV has seen a sustained increase in container volumes, representing great news for container terminals, the container drayage sector and the economy; but with growth comes the need to improve our business with efficient transactions at each point along the supply chain. Today's agreement marks a new beginning; by working collaboratively, we will see better outcomes that benefit everyone."
- Peter Xotta, Vice President Planning and Operations, Port Metro Vancouver

"As the federal government deepens Canada's trade and investment ties throughout the fast-growing Asia-Pacific region, continued growth of container volumes is proof of the competitive advantages of the Asia-Pacific Gateway. This collaboration between Port Metro Vancouver and the container drayage sector is a positive step that will further strengthen these advantages and ensure Canada's Asia-Pacific Gateway remains the gateway of choice between North American and Asian markets."
- Minister Ed Fast, Canada's Minister of International Trade and Minister for the Asia-Pacific Gateway

"I am pleased to see all the partners working collaboratively to seek system-wide solutions that maximize port operations and ensure the efficient and rapid flow of goods through our Pacific Gateway."
- Hon. Blair Lekstrom, Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure

"By working together with Port Metro Vancouver, industry partners, and the BC Trucking Association, I am confident that the work of the Container Drayage Leadership team will lead to real operational improvements."
- Matthew Hoag, General Manager, DP World Vancouver

"As the largest container terminal operator in Port Metro Vancouver, TSI is committed to working with all supply chain partners to ensure efficiency and reliability. We support the growth and productivity of this gateway and will continue to work with the Port, the BCTA, and our industry partners towards operational improvements. I believe this type of collaboration will achieve great success for our industry and our customers." 
- Eric Waltz, President, TSI Terminal Systems Inc.

"It is very promising to see how the port industry's stakeholders are collaborating to implement sustainable solutions. By improving services within the supply chain, we can ensure our success in achieving gateway growth and expansion."
- Jeff Scott, President, Fraser Surrey Docks Inc.

"Each supply chain partner is accountable for their actions. The work of the Team involves creating a better understanding of how the actions of one supply chain partner affect another. On the ground, drayage carriers and drivers should realize consistent, reliable and reasonable turn times that will address long-standing concerns about productivity and efficiency."
- Louise Yako, President & CEO of the BC Trucking Association

"The ocean going container carrier sector fully recognizes the important role of the container drayage sector and marine terminals as fully interdependent supply chain partners. We will succeed together or fail together, and the formation of the "Container Drayage Leadership Team" is intended to ensure that we not only succeed, but set high and sustainable standards of performance for the long term. We embrace the timely opportunity of this challenge."
- Captain Stephen Brown, President, BC Chamber of Shipping

"In order for our members to be able to compete internationally, an efficient, reliable and productive port container network is essential.  We believe the potential for improvement exists and that better communication and a greater awareness of the collateral affects generated by the actions of each member of the supply chain are keys to that improvement.  The Western Canadian Shippers' Coalition is pleased to be part of a group that shares those beliefs."
- Ian May, Chair, Western Canadian Shippers' Coalition

Read the news release.

Barbara Joy-Kinsella, Media Relations
Port Metro Vancouver
604-665-9267