By Radha Agarwal, Prince Rupert Northern View, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
September marked the debut of Prince Rupert’s floating Wolverine Terminals energy terminal, which delivered fuel to a cargo ship called Belatlantic.
Belatlantic is 199.9-metre by 32.39-metre bulk carrier sailing under the flag of Norway. It arrived from China, was fuelled up at the Wolverine terminal, and was loaded with Canadian wheat to be sold in international markets.
The beginning of the fuel terminal’s commercial operations boosts Prince Rupert’s port’s capability as a trade gateway. Now, ships don’t need to travel to Vancouver to refuel or carry tonnes of extra fuel to complete their round-trip. This improvement allows huge cost and/or time savings for large ships.
“Wolverine Terminals will offer transloading, marine fuel storage, and distribution services, significantly improving supply chain efficiency for fuel products such as marine grade diesel and very low sulphur fuel oil (VLSFO),” said Wolverine in its September press release.
The company says it kept sustainability at its core by using reduced emissions technology, enhanced spill-proof measures, and responsible resource management. It will also boost jobs within Prince Rupert by stimulating economic activity, the company said.
Construction of the marine berth initially began in December 2021. It will now offer industry connectivity to critical Canadian transportation networks, including rail and marine routes.
According to the Prince Rupert Port Authority (PRPA), the city’s port moved 15,427,044 tonnes of foreign cargo between January and August 2024.
Top image credit: Wolverine terminal fuels up a visiting cargo ship at Prince Rupert’s port for the first time for international export. Photo: Submitted
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