Investments aid coal shipping
Neptune Bulk Terminals has modernized equipment at its North Vancouver terminal for increased coal-shipping efficiency
Moving coal from trains to ships will be more efficient now, due to investments in new equipment by Neptune Bulk Terminals. — Jeffrey Cooper photo
Storing and moving coal at a shipping terminal on the North Shore in B.C.'s Lower Mainland will soon be more efficient and environmentally friendly, thanks to a $63.5-million investment by Neptune Bulk Terminals.
The company plans to purchase a $45-million stacker reclaimer, which will allow the terminal to expand to a capacity of 12.5 million tonnes per year.
It will also increase efficiency by simultaneously moving steel-making coal from stockpiles and directly from stockpiles to shipping vessels. The equipment also features a dust-suppression system to minimize the environmental impact of coal dust.
Neptune is making an additional investment of $6.5 million for a rail car positioning system to make train offloading easier, as well as $12 million for energy-efficient upgrades relating to the power system.
"We are committed to investing in our terminal and in North Vancouver," said James Belsheim, president of Neptune Bulk Terminals. "This investment prepares Neptune for the future and allows the terminal to provide superior, competitive service."
