Port » International Private Sector Port

The Private Port of Kitimat

Kitimat is a "PRIVATE PORT": one of only a few in North America. Deproclaimed as a Public Port by Transport Canada in 1998 during the implementation of the new Canada Marine Act, Kitimat is attracting substantial investment in new marine terminals for energy related products. It is also an underutilized Pacific Inland Coast tidewater valley manufacturing location and one of the few locations in North America where private container terminal development can take place within a private port location.

The Kitimat Valley is second of only two-wide-flat-valleys on the West Coast of Canada -- the other being the Fraser Valley where Vancouver, British Columbia is located -- however Kitimat is the only location with substantial room for growth.

The Private Port of Kitimat is the deepest and closest inland port on Canada's Northwest Transportation and Trade Corridor and offers both inbound and outbound transportation cost savings to shippers. Canadian National Railways, which services Kitimat, recognizes this location has Vancouver-comparable rail service to the Chicago region and mid-west heartland of United States. With minor rail modifications up-valley, this location could grow to serve substantial North American import and export markets. To say Kitimat's strategic advantages have yet to be fully realized, is a 21st Century understatement. But, it's one that current investors are banking on with billions being spent on new terminal investments.

During legal consultation with the private terminal operators who have built, owned and operated private marine terminals in Kitimat since the community's inception in 1954, Transport Canada recognized the long-standing absence, and lack of need for federal government facilities or services in this young port location. As Kitimat operates as a private port outside of the country's national port structure, it is unencumbered by government facility ownership, management, and national union collective agreements which, during labour strife in Canada, can shut down Canada's entire Federal Port System. And while all national and international shipping regulations apply, the lack of government port facilities and management means terminals do not pay harbour dues or fees associated with government port structures. Union contracts at Kitimat terminals, where they exist, are local. This enables port facility owners the ability to sustain steady, productive shipping and manufacturing activities.

For more information, please download our Port Profile. The Private International Port of Kitimat

Latitude 53º 59' North; Logitude 128º 41' West. Kitimat is centered on Western Canada's Pacific Inland Coast with deep-sea and wide fjord access 100 nm inland to the Kitimat Valley.
See also: Shipping Distances

Pacific Ocean

Kitimat is located on Western Canada's Pacific Inland Coast: Chart #3743 and #3002 North Coast, Douglas Channel and Kitimat Arm (Canadian Hydrographic Service, Sidney, British Columbia)

Charted

First noted in 1792 by Spanish Pilot Don Juan Zayas of Lt. Jacinto Caamano's vessel Nuestra Senora de Aranzazu and again in 1793 by British Officer Whidbey from Captain George Vancouver's vessel Discovery, it wasn't until the mid 1950's that a permanent community and modern port development took place in Kitimat. Today billions are imported and exported annually from this location and opportunities still exist for private container and break-bulk terminal operators to invest in this unique location.

Turning Basin

1 - 3 nautical miles wide the full length of Douglas Channel and Harbour area

Pacific Pilotage

One pilot assignment on Caamano Sound routing for vessels meeting time/speed/distance criteria (less than 8 hours)

Channel Depth

100-300 fathoms (190-570m or 600-1800ft)

Harbour

Ice-free, sheltered deepwater passage and harbour <100nm from great circle shipping route (international). 250-300 deep sea vessels/yr, ranging 40,000 - 50,000 dwt. Approved to handle VLCC-320,000dwt vessels

Anchorage

4 inner harbour anchorages; 4 holding areas for multiple ships south of harbour

Port Facilities

Kitimat presently has 3 deep-sea marine terminals in use for international imports and a base of operations for a full-service tugboat operator. Five new marine terminal investments have been announced. Two of the existing deep-sea facilities are single berth, the third has double berth for handling break-bulk vessels plus a 100 tonne hydraulic RO/RO barge facility. This facility could be expanded and modified as a Private Container Terminal serving inland and offshore markets. Present cargos handled by the Private Port of Kitimat terminal operators include alumina, green and petroleum coke, aluminum, condensate, methanol, sackkraft and linerboard. Two federal aerodrome locations handle small seaplanes in and out with commercial air traffic services provided by the Northwest Regional Airport (Terrace Kitimat).

Port Focus

Private port: Privately owned and operated deep sea facilities for world class value-added manufacturing. Private and Provincial Crown land available. Local labour contracts in facilities; no shipping disruptions due to national/federal port transportation labour agreements or conflicts. Small Craft marinas, recreation boating, fishing, and touring popular.

Markets Served

Japan, Hong Kong, Korea, Southeast Asia, Taiwan, Europe, Middle East, Africa, South America and United States

Railway

Canadian National Railway/Illinois Central/other US rail alliances. Distances/time at Premium service:

• Kitimat to Chicago 108 hours 2520 miles
• Vancouver to Chicago 101 hours 2496 miles

Highway

Interprovincial #37 and TransCanada Yellowhead #16

Airport

Multiple daily flights to/from Vancouver International Airport and NW Regional Airport (Kitimat-Terrace). This airport has the largest flight service and passenger load west of Prince George and north of British Columbia's Okanagan region.

Economic Performance

Kitimat industries have produced up to 12% of BC's manufacturing GDP and currently export over $1 Billion/Year in manufactured products. Over 50% of Kitimat's labour force is directly employed in manufacturing, transportation and trade, and industrial supply and service.

Future Development

Five new marine terminals are planned for Kitimat. Over $15Billion in new investment is nearing construction over the next 1-5 years. Download our Monthly Investment Summary under "What's New" sidebar. Business opportunities exist for transhipment of liquids and break-bulk goods through underutilized marine terminals and there is good potential for a breakbulk terminal expansion to private container facilities that would service North America.

21st Century Room Growth: 8,608ha within Kitimat's industrial zoned and harbour/backup lands; 250ha fully serviced, 5,032ha partially serviced, 2,349ha not serviced. This includes tidewater and valley sites offering a combined total of close to 12,000ha of land suitable for development. Future land development and marine activity will be driven by private enterprise or public non-government enterprise in this location. Manufacturing, international trade related transportation facilities, back-country eco-tourism and "active west coast retirement living" are economic growth sectors.