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PORT PROJECTS: PORT ALBERNI
Port Alberni builds the case for a floating dry dock
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istorically, the City of Port Alberni relied heavily on British Columbia’s forest industry as a mainstay of economic growth. As a shift in that industry saw the beginnings of a decline in port activity, the Port Alberni Port Authority (PAPA) reacted by investigating and placing greater focus on the development of a more diverse maritime industry. Recent new businesses that have been welcomed by Port Alberni, including seafood processors and a bottled water exporter, have improved the market for yet another maritime sector — that of ship building and repair. “As more and more marine businesses call Port Alberni home, the need for expanded facilities to service vessels is a natural next step,” said Zoran Knezevic, CEO for PAPA, adding that the proposal for a floating dry dock aligns with a number of current government and industry goals. Knezevic wasn’t the only one who was implementing actions in response to the changing landscape. Canadian Maritime Engineering (CME) established operations in Port Alberni in 2013 to take advantage of the increase in vessel activity in the area, including commercial fishing vessels, recreational boats, ferries, and naval and coast guard vessels. Now, realizing the full potential of Port Alberni’s “middle-of-the-coast” location in British Columbia, CME and PAPA, supported by local, regional and provincial governments, First Nations, and community and industry stakeholders, have taken the first steps in laying out a business case for a floating dry dock.
...realizing the full potential of Port Alberni’s “middle-ofthe-coast” location in British Columbia, CME and PAPA ... have taken the first steps in laying out a business case for a floating dry dock. economic impact and benefits as well as the specifics of the project for a floating dry dock in Port Alberni. Situated on PAPA-administered Provincial foreshore, adjacent to property purchased by CME in 2016 for an expansion of their Port Alberni ship construction and repair facilities, the new floating dry dock would be constructed in three phases: the first section will be between 100 and 110 meters long and 40 to 45 meters wide with a
weight capacity of 5,000 metric tonnes; the next phase will see the length and weight capacity doubled with the addition of a similarly sized second section; and in the third stage, the length and weight capacity will again be increased to approximately 300 meters and 15,000 metric tonnes. Total costs are projected to be just under CD$70 million — CD$30.8 million for Section One; and CD$19 million each for Sections Two and
Details
Hired by PAPA, CME, and the Port Alberni Floating Drydock Community Committee, MMK Consulting undertook an extensive assessment of the
Key to the success of the floating dry dock proposal is the alignment with provincial and federal objectives. Note: Economic and employment impacts include direct/indirect/induced effects (2020 dollars). Sources: Province – BC Budget 2020 Strategic Plan, A Stronger BC, for Everyone. Federal – Investing in Canada: Canada’s Long-Term Infrastructure Plan (2018). January 2021 — PACIFIC PORTS — 33
