Export Economy

Kitimat is British Columbia's largest private port and the closest inland port for the Northwest Transportation and Trade Corridor. Global trade route advantages between Asia and North America using the Northwest Corridor are finally becoming known -- providing opportunity to understand just how well positioned Kitimat is as an international port and trade growth location.

Kitimat's natural deep-sea harbour is wider than the Port of Vancouver's Burrard Inlet.

During the last 20 years, this relatively undiscovered manufacturing and private port has sheltered over 4300 deep-sea vessels and quietly moved 50 million tonnes of cargo to and from ports on all continents. Kitimat industries have manufactured up to 11% of BC's manufactured exports and shipped up to 5% of the province's exports. Over $15 billion CDN in trade was produced and exported through Kitimat between 1990 and 2000.

The Northwest Transportation Corridor has full CN Rail service, and encompases the TransCanada Highway #16 Yellowhead Route. The Northwest Regional Airport, located in the Kitimat Valley, services Vancouver's International Airport with 9 direct flights a day carrying over 100,000 passengers a year. This is the largest airport west of Prince George and north of British Columbia's Okanagan region.

The geography of the NW Corridor has significant advantages over the southern route transiting Western Canada. For example, the TransCanada Highway #16 Yellowhead Pass is the only one of five through the Western Canadian Rockies which travels between the mountains instead of over them. Maximum elevation along the Yellowhead is 1 066m, compared to 1 643m at Kicking Horse Pass, 1 382m at Crow's Nest Pass and 1 327m at Rogers Pass. The same elevation advantages hold true for the Canadian National Rail line that is aligned to the TransCanada Highway. CN, incidently, is North America's only coast to coast east-west and north-south rail operator. Their track touches the Pacific, the Atlantic, and the Gulf Coasts.

This TransCanada Highway is an all season interprovincial trucking route that is equipped with strategically placed four lane sections. It is presently under-utilized and uncongested due to both the smaller northern populations and a lack of awareness as to its advantages. Those undertaking global trade via North America's continental transportation systems would benefit from understanding the strategic merits related to transportation and trade using this Western Canada route.

Kitimat is a full day closer to Asia than those in the south. Its Pacific Inland Coast location enables it to compete with the southern port of Vancouver in both rail distance and comparable service from the Pacific to Chicago and North America Heartland markets -- an advantage not shared by other Northwest Corridor Ports. CN's rail service diffential between Vancouver-Chicago and Kitimat-Chicago is only 7 hours and 24 miles, as compared to Vancouver-Chicago and Prince Rupert Chicago at 20 hours and 90 miles. The Northwest Corridor from Kitimat provides 24/7/365 access without risk of avalanches impeding rail or road, without congestion and without weather delays found on the southern transportation routes.

CN's strategic alliances with U.S. Rail carriers sets up the first true "NAFTA" one-stop-shopping rail service. New opportunites exist for imports and distribution of goods to North American markets as well as traditional exports and tidewater manufacturing. Successful international trade benefits from the Northwest Corridor's essential infrastructure, and the experienced industrial labour force and comprehensive supply and service sector of each port city will add to Canadian Trade significantly in the future.

Federal ports across Canada are challenged to be absolutely responsive to transportation market demand. Labour stability and productivity have growing importance in the tightened global markets, and federal port systems in Canada remain challenged.

Kitimat is a "PRIVATE PORT" -- unencumbered by government facilities, management and governance fees. Kitimat is not affected by national contract labour strife. Rather, we enjoy productive labour in all shipping areas. Inner Harbour shipping facilities and marine docks are owned by the private sector in Kitimat. Labour contracts, where they exist, are local, not tied to national collective agreements. All shipping activity to and from the Kitimat Valley is facilitated by the private sector with each private entity having the opportunity to build, own and operate their own faciltiies.

Kitimat recognizes the benefit of its private port and is interested in attracting Canada's first large-scale private container port developer to locate in this fully private port setting. Efficient rail and highway networks extend far into the continent from Kitimat, with access to and from inland trade centers where manufactured goods and resources can be shipped or accessed for global trade. The benefits seem obvious, and the time will come when the private port operating platform enjoyed in Asia and Europe begin to realize that locations like Kitimat have something to offer. Something that can't be found in federal port systems and structures.

Air connections and advanced telecommunications in the Kitimat Valley ensure access to all global locations. Industrial labour has an impressive record of stability and productivity. And the biggest secret? Transportation infrastructure and industrial development opportunity is far from reaching capacity-virtually eliminating costs related to congestion, delay and turnaround time.

Our strikingly beautiful setting offers a unique mix of a natural outdoor lifestyle -- and the benefit of industrial and transportation employment.

Kitimat, British Columbia, Canada. A marvel of nature and industry, and a unique region whose potential is yet to be realized.