# Canada advances Roberts Bank Terminal 2 as national infrastructure priority

- **Source:** https://pelavox.com/canada-roberts-bank-terminal-2-national-interest/
- **Publisher:** pelavox. (The voice of shipping)
- **Author:** Jason Nicholson
- **Published:** 2026-11-01T16:00:00+00:00
- **Updated:** 2026-11-01T10:34:00+00:00
- **Section:** Ports
- **Type:** News
- **Topics:** Canadian Ports, Container Terminals, Port of Vancouver, Roberts Bank Terminal 2, Vancouver Fraser Port Authority

The Government of Canada has designated Roberts Bank Terminal 2 at the Port of Vancouver as a project of national interest, providing greater regulatory certainty for a major container terminal development intended to expand the country’s international trade capacity.

Announced on 30 October, the decision places the project under the Building Canada Act and is expected to accelerate its development. The government said the revised timeline could bring forward the start of commercial operations by up to four years, from 2039 to 2035.

The Vancouver Fraser Port Authority will lead the development of the terminal, which carries an estimated capital cost of C$5.9 billion, excluding financing costs. The project is now being advanced towards a final investment decision by mid-2027, meaning that the latest designation does not represent a final investment commitment or the start of construction.

Once completed, Roberts Bank Terminal 2 is expected to add annual handling capacity for approximately 2.4 million containers, increasing the Port of Vancouver’s container capacity by around 50%. The development will include a new three-berth marine terminal at Roberts Bank in Delta, British Columbia.

The Canadian government estimates that the additional capacity could support approximately C$100 billion in annual trade and contribute around C$3 billion to the country’s GDP each year during operations. It also projects that the terminal could support approximately 17,000 jobs across the supply chain.

The expansion forms part of Canada’s wider Port of Vancouver Gateway Strategy, which includes rail infrastructure improvements, the development of additional industrial land and measures to strengthen environmental protection. The strategy is intended to improve access to overseas markets, particularly in the Indo-Pacific region, and support the government’s objective of doubling exports to non-US markets by 2035.

According to federal estimates, insufficient container capacity could result in additional shipping and transportation costs of C$800 million to C$900 million annually, potentially beginning as early as 2031. The planned terminal is intended to address these capacity constraints and improve the reliability of cargo movements through Canada’s largest port.

“Getting goods to market quickly and reliably is essential to Canada’s economic success,” said Steven MacKinnon, Canada’s Minister of Transport. He added that the designation would provide greater certainty for advancing the project and strengthening the country’s West Coast trade gateway.

Environmental safeguards remain part of the development process. The government said existing conditions established through the federal environmental assessment will continue to apply, alongside consultation and cooperation with Indigenous communities.

The wider programme includes measures to protect marine habitats, Pacific salmon and Southern Resident killer whales, as well as initiatives to reduce underwater noise from vessels operating in sensitive coastal waters.

Peter Xotta, President and CEO of the Vancouver Fraser Port Authority, described the designation as an important milestone for the terminal and Canada’s future trade capacity.

The project will continue through the remaining regulatory and investment stages before construction and eventual commercial operations can proceed.

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Cite as: "Canada advances Roberts Bank Terminal 2 as national infrastructure priority", pelavox., 1 November 2026, https://pelavox.com/canada-roberts-bank-terminal-2-national-interest/