Cargo ships in a holding pattern
A noticeable influx of container ships have dropped anchor off the Cowichan coast recently to wait out a backlog at the port of Vancouver.
Yoss Leclerc, harbourmaster and director of operations and security with Port Metro Vancouver, said delays were due to “a combination of factors.”
PMV is the largest port in Canada, Leclerc said. In 2011, the port’s three Metro Vancouver locations were visited by more than 3,000 deep-sea vessels transporting 122 million tonnes of cargo.
Payloads are loaded and unloaded 24 hours a day, seven days a week via PMV’s 28 terminals, Leclerc added, but factors such as weather and cargo availability occasionally lead to delays.
While ships wait for available berths, Leclerc said they drop anchor in Indian Arm, in English Bay and in the harbour.
“But from time to time,” Leclerc said, “some ships might use the (Vancouver Island) anchorages.”
Turnaround time for vessels depends on their size and the type of cargo they’re designed to carry, Leclerc said.
“Some vessels can be in and out in 24 hours,” he added, “while other vessels take two to two and a half days.”
Leclerc said port staff aims to have vessels loaded and unloaded “as fast as possible, in a safe and secure manner,” but catching up on delays will depend primarily on weather.
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