A major international agreement signed between the Unites States and Canada ill have a direct impact on Prince Rupert as it relates to the movement of goods to the United States.
By 2013, and expected to start in September, 2012, Prince Rupert and Montreal will be part of a year-long pilot program that will no longer require cargo travelling between Canada and the United States to be scanned twice – once when entering Canada and once when entering the US. Essentially this creates an “inspected once, cleared twice” policy for goods moving between the countries.
“This is very significant. Firstly, this whole announcement is very positive news for trade generally and for the port of Prince Rupert specifically. The fact that the port of Prince Rupert is one of those chosen for a pilot project demonstrates the profile the port has as a North American gateway,” said Prince Rupert Port Authority CEO Don Krusel.
“To be a successful gateway you have to move cargo through quickly and efficiently, and the speed will be improved if it doesn't have to go through several layers of screening along the way. This announcement will allow the needed approval to happen here in Prince Rupert.”
According to the information provided on the agreement, if the results of the pilot project are positive then that process will become the norm for moving cargo from other countries between the US and Canada, which Krusel says means any benefit to the port in terms of speed when compared to other west coast ports will be temporary.
Regardless, this new means of moving cargo between the to countries is something Krusel said will only benefit international imports through Prince Rupert.
“Absolutely this is something we have wanted to see. We've been working with the government in Ottawa with planning for a potential Beyond Borders intiative,” he said.
“We were hopeful that Prince Rupert would be named one of the pilot project ports, so we're very excited by this announcement and this opportunity.”