Duke Point Terminal expansion begins

With support from Snuneymuxw First Nation and the Port of Nanaimo, DP World’s Duke Point Terminal project will see the terminal’s berth length nearly double to 325 metres and increase cargo-handling capacity to 280,000 teu per year.

The expansion will also establish a short-sea shipping connection between Nanaimo and Vancouver, improving trade routes to key Asian markets.

“By expanding Duke Point Terminal, we’re not just building additional infrastructure – we’re investing in a future where Vancouver Island is a key driver of global trade,” said Doug Smith, chief executive, DP World in Canada.

“The extended berth will help position Vancouver Island as a key hub for international commerce, underscoring our ongoing commitment to pioneering sustainable, resilient supply chains.”

The terminal expansion will feature additional storage capacities designed to accommodate a wider array of cargo, including a dedicated 26,000 sqft (2,415 sqm) covered storage area for pulp products. DP World is also replacing the existing diesel-powered quay crane with two fully electric cranes.

The project is supported by Snuneymuxw First Nation’s free, prior and informed consent, and is supported by a 50-year lease agreement between DP World and the Port of Nanaimo.

The project was funded through combined public and private investments, including CAN$46.2 million from the federal government’s National Trade Corridors Fund and CAN$15 million from the Province of British Columbia under the Regional Port Enhancement Program.