G3 Terrminal Vancouver has opened at the Port of Vancouver on Canada's West Coast. The new facility, operated by G3, the successor to the former Canadian Wheat board, helps to transport grain from Canada's prairies to foreign customers.
Work on the terminal, which began in March 2017, now is "substantially complete as planned, allowing the facility to go start commercial operation," according to a written statement from the company.
G3 began with "the vision of building a more efficient path from farmers' fields to global markets," Don Chapman, president and CEO of G3, said in the statement. "We are very proud to see this vision become reality at G3 Terminal Vancouver."
Highlights of the terminal include the following:
- It focuses on "high-velocity grain receiving, shipping and best-in-class environmental and safety standards."
- It can receive up to three 150-car trains on its loop track, with trains able to quickly unload while in motion.
- Its three ship loaders move grain on board at up to 6,500 metric tons per hour.
- It has a storage capacity of up to 180,000 metric tons and receives and ships a variety of grains and oilseeds.
G3, based in Winnipeg, Manitoba, also has built a number of new grain elevators in western Canada, with several more under construction.
According to the Port of Vancouver web site, the port is about the same size as the next five largest Canadian ports combined and is home to 27 major terminals, handling the "most diversified range of cargo in North America." About one-third of Canada's trade in goods outside North America is handled at the port, which is a gateway to more than 170 trading partners worldwide.
