PSA International through its subsidiary has acquired 60 per cent of Ashcroft Terminal (AT) , an inland port facility about 300km east of the Port of Vancouver in western Canada, making its first foray into Canada.
AT is an inland port facility located approximately 300 kilometres east of the Port of Vancouver (POV).
Comprising 320 acres of free-hold industrial land, it is the only major privately-owned industrial property in Canada where both Class 1 railroad lines – including Canadian National (CN) Railway and Canadian Pacific Railway – run through, transporting import and export cargoes to and from the POV, across Canada and as far as Chicago and other North American markets. Besides its unique rail connectivity, AT is also located close to the major highways of British Columbia that serve much of the province’s resource industries.
Tan Chong Meng, Group CEO of PSA, said, “Ashcroft Terminal is PSA’s first foray into Canada and offers us an entry point into the hinterland supply chain for the North American market, as well as an opportunity to increase our capabilities in intermodal and inland container depot (ICD) operations. The terminal’s strategic location allows us to establish a common user ICD and provide greater options to cargo owners and consignees. We will partner with shipping lines, rail operators and trucking companies to implement a more robust, efficient and costeffective supply chain solution to serve the needs of major exporters in Western Canada.”
Robert Landucci, CEO & President of Ashcroft Terminal, said, “We are excited to have PSA onboard at Ashcroft Terminal and are committed to work together to jointly develop this facility and make a positive contribution towards the livelihoods of the local communities. PSA’s expertise as a world-leading port operator, coupled with Ashcroft Terminal’s current service to Canadian producers, established relationships with key stakeholders and Ashcroft Terminal’s in-depth knowledge and experience in rail operations will put the terminal in good stead for future growth.”
AT currently services all sectors of the natural resource industries which include agriculture, mining, forestry and oil and gas; by providing transloading, fleet management, railcar storage and logistics solutions.
A recently announced CAD$28 million upgrade will further strengthen its inland port and container handling capabilities, as the terminal is slated to receive a new rail link to the CN main line, additional rail track of existing infrastructure, an internal road system and a multi-commodity storage facility.
Transport Canada, through the National Trade Corridors Fund will provide a grant of up to CAD$9.2 million representing one third of the cost of the project.