Vancouver Fraser Port Authority gives new life to former shipyard site

The Vancouver Fraser Port Authority has announced its completion of the Sterling Shipyard Remediation and Infill Project, advancing both waterfront redevelopment and marine habitat preservation on the south shore of the Burrard Inlet off North Vancouver, British Columbia.

Started in 2024, the work completed late last year focused on removing contaminated materials and creating an innovative shoreline habitat to support local biodiversity. Approximately 18,000 cubic metres (635,600 cubic feet) of contaminated sediment were excavated and dredged from intertidal and subtidal areas.

As part of the site’s redevelopment, a specially designed rock slope was constructed to protect the shoreline, with clean, engineered fill placed to create a half-hectare (1.2 acres) of new port industrial land, increasing the total to 1.1 hectares (2.7 acres).

Recognizing the ecological impact of these activities, the port adopted on-site compensation measures. The port collaborated with Green Marine partner ECOncrete to set ecological targets and identify suitable habitat-creating solutions. The company worked with the regional supply chain to provide the port with specialized ECOncrete Armor Block units for installation at the base of the rock slope.

The bio‑enhancing units, along with the construction of two artificial offshore rock reefs, provide vital space for fish refuge and spawning. The habitat design also incorporated seeded kelp ropes above the underwater reefs and native vegetation along the shoreline, fostering the recovery of natural ecosystems at this revitalized waterfront site.

_{Photo: Vancouver Fraser Port Authority}