The Port of Vancouver limits nightime anchorage activities on a trial basis

A new arrival and departure window for ships anchoring around the Southern Gulf Islands is the latest collaborative measure introduced by the Vancouver Fraser Port Authority (VFPA) to reduce trade impacts on coastal communities.

Since July 1st, commercial ship operators have been asked to avoid nighttime arrivals or departures around the Southern Gulf Islands, as the VFPA and its industry partners work together to reduce the effects of increasing maritime trade on coastal residents.

Vessel operators are being asked to prioritize arriving at or departing from anchorages off the Southern Gulf Islands between 7:00 a.m. and 11:00 p.m. to reduce the noise disruptions from ships lowering or lifting their anchors in the area at night.

The measure is being tried out for six months to give the VFPA, its industry partners, and the Indigenous and other local communities time to assess both its operational implications and the change it makes to the local quality of life.

Based on 2022 numbers, it is estimated that more than 75 nighttime ship arrivals and departures will be avoided in the area over the trial period. 

The new measure was introduced on a trial basis in response to community feedback and as part of the Active Vessel Traffic Management Program that the VFPA is undertaking to more efficiently manage commercial ship traffic bound for the Port of Vancouver to enhance safety and environmental protection, and to reduce the trade activity impacts on local communities.