(Delta, Canada) – The federal government has listed Roberts Bank Terminal 2 as a project of national interest, advancing a proposed expansion at the Port of Vancouver.

Transport Canada announced the designation October 30. The Vancouver Fraser Port Authority is leading the project, with an estimated capital cost of $5.9 billion excluding financing.

The government says the listing provides greater certainty for remaining federal authorizations. It now targets a final investment decision by mid-2027 and commercial operations in 2035, up to four years earlier than previously projected.

Those are planning targets, not confirmation that financing is finalized or the terminal is operating.

Ottawa projects approximately 50 per cent more container capacity at the port and roughly 17,000 supply-chain jobs. These are government estimates, rather than realized results.

The release says existing environmental-assessment conditions remain and further work involves Indigenous consultation. Designation should not be read as the removal of environmental obligations.

Source: Transport Canada, October 30.

Editorial illustration of port infrastructure; not a photograph or engineering rendering of the proposed terminal.