Port of Prince Rupert invests in navigational projects

The Canadian port has invested in two navigational projects, which include a shore-based radar system project and a light at the mouth of Prince Rupert’s Fairview Channel.    The Port of Prince Rupert, situated in western Canada, has invested in two navigational projects, which include the shore-based radar system project and a light at the mouth of Prince Rupert’s Fairview Channel, the Prince Rupert Port Authority said.
   Last week, a shipment of twenty crates and pallets arrived at the Canadian Coast Guard (CCG) base in Seal Cove for the $5 million shore-based radar system project. The equipment was customized for the port in France before it was shipped.
   The delivery included all of the radar components that will be used to establish three elevated radar sites, which will be located at Prince Rupert Grain, Mount Hays and Dundas Island. The sites will provide shore-based radar coverage extending to the northeast of Haida Gwaii, which is an archipelago on the north coast of British Columbia, to as far north as the Alaskan border.
   Funding for the shore-based radar system project came from the Port of Prince Rupert, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police and the Western Economic Diversification Canada, with continuous operating and maintenance provided by the CCG.
   The project is expected to be operational by July.
   In addition, the Kaien Island Sector Light, located at the mouth of Prince Rupert’s Fairview Channel, provides mariners with a visual aid to identify the center of the deepwater navigation channel for ships arriving and departing the inner harbor.
   The $500,000 navigation aid will be maintained by the CCG.
   Overall, the Port of Prince Rupert’s ice-free harbor is capable of handling all sizes and types of vessels used in the transpacific trade.
   According to BlueWater Reporting’s Port Dashboard tool, the port is frequented by four fully cellular services: Hanjin’s PNH; the CKYH Alliance’s CPNW; the CKYHE Alliance and CSCL’s jointly operated CEN; and the 2M Alliance’s TP8/TP12/Empire/New Orient. The first three loops are dedicated to serving the transpacific trade, while the 2M Alliance’s service calls other regions in addition to Asia and North America.