Reducing the Environmental Impacts of Remote Ports: The Example of Prince Rupert

Abstract

The west coast ports of North America are prime examples of twentieth-century ports that must adapt to twenty-first century concerns. Located in urban areas, the ports of Vancouver, British Columbia, Seattle and Tacoma, Washington, and California are increasingly viewed as undesirable neighbors by urban residents. Because these large population centers have diversified economic bases, the economic contributions of ports are not as visible, or as crucial, to residents as in the past. This reduces their tolerance for port impacts. Constraints on developable land and congestion add to the challenges faced by these ports. As trade and container traffic increase, these ports must increase in size, in throughput, or both in order to compete for global trade. As discussed further below, however, this growth must take place without imposing additional externalities on neighbors who are increasingly aware of the burden that ports place on those who live around them.