Port of Vancouver opens tender to operate Fraser Wharves terminal

The Vancouver Fraser Port Authority is seeking an operator for its Fraser Wharves terminal in Richmond, as part of a project to expand trade capacity in support of the Canadian government's efforts to double exports to markets outside the United States over the next decade.

The 16-hectare site for the port terminal in Richmond represents the first major terminal opportunity at Canada's largest port in a decade, offering potential operators a brownfield industrial site with existing marine, rail, and road connections.

The Port of Vancouver has 29 major terminals, each moving millions of tons of cargo for Canada annually, from grain and fertilizer exports to container and automobile transportation.

"The Port of Vancouver is helping unlock Canada's economic potential by creating the trade capacity needed to move more of the products Canadians make, extract, harvest, and grow to more customers around the world," said Peter Xotta, President and CEO of the Vancouver Fraser Port Authority.

"This is an exceptional opportunity to develop and operate a new terminal within an established port ecosystem, with unparalleled access to the Indo-Pacific region and beyond. We look forward to finding the right partner to transform this site into a terminal capable of distributing Canadian products to global markets and supporting trade diversification," added Xotta.

The Port Authority is collaborating with the Federal Major Projects Office on this plan, as part of the Government of Canada's Vancouver Port Access Strategy. The Office can provide support to the port authority during this process to ensure the efficient advancement of the project, respecting Indigenous rights and protecting the environment.

The Port of Vancouver is Canada's largest and North America's most diversified, moving more cargo than the five largest Canadian ports combined. Connecting Canada to over 170 international markets, the port is a critical gateway for Canadian trade, with over 85% of handled cargo supporting trade outside the United States.

The terminal site was previously used as an automobile terminal but was consolidated under the Annacis Auto Terminal Optimization Project and is now available to accommodate new trade opportunities.

The opportunity offered by this brownfield industrial site includes deep-sea vessel access via the Fraser River and an existing marine dock; a fully paved, secure, and fenced site with existing rail and road infrastructure; rail service provided via CN, including nine existing tracks on-site and opportunities for expansion; and highway access just 1.5 km away.

Dry bulk export volumes have grown 12% over the past five years, driven by strategic investment and global demand for high-quality Canadian products. The Port of Vancouver moved a record 131 million metric tons (MMT) of bulk cargo in 2025, including approximately 30 MMT of grain, 11 MMT of potash fertilizer, and 27 MMT of petroleum products.

The port authority anticipates a two-phase selection process, inviting qualified interested parties to submit an expression of interest for the site by September 11, 2026.