DESPITE environmental protests, the Canadian government has approved a controversial container terminal expansion that would double the Port of Vancouver box volume, reports the UK's Guardian.
Environmentalist claim the expansion could have damaging effects for maritime species already on the brink of extinction. The area is a habitat for killer whales, the chinook salmon and dozens of other at-risk species.
The country's natural resources minister announced support for the Port of Vancouver's plan - which would effectively double the size of the Roberts Bank Terminal.
'More than C$275 billion (US$205 billion) of trade passes through the Vancouver Fraser Port Authority every year,' said local MP and federal Natural Resources Minister Jonathan Wilkinson. 'By the early 2030s, our ports are forecast to be approaching capacity, and we will be unable to meet demand.'
The planned expansion would eventually increase the annual capacity by 2.4 million containers, said the report.
SeaNews Turkey
Environmentalist claim the expansion could have damaging effects for maritime species already on the brink of extinction. The area is a habitat for killer whales, the chinook salmon and dozens of other at-risk species.
The country's natural resources minister announced support for the Port of Vancouver's plan - which would effectively double the size of the Roberts Bank Terminal.
'More than C$275 billion (US$205 billion) of trade passes through the Vancouver Fraser Port Authority every year,' said local MP and federal Natural Resources Minister Jonathan Wilkinson. 'By the early 2030s, our ports are forecast to be approaching capacity, and we will be unable to meet demand.'
The planned expansion would eventually increase the annual capacity by 2.4 million containers, said the report.
SeaNews Turkey
