Full Breakdown
Roberts Bank Terminal 2 Designated a Project of National Interest
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In this breakdown
01
Core Development and Federal Designation
The federal government has listed the Roberts Bank Terminal 2 (RBT2) expansion in Delta, B.C., as a “project of national interest.” The three-berth container terminal, led by the Vancouver Fraser Port Authority, will add roughly 2.4 million containers of capacity each year—about a 50 percent increase for the Port of Vancouver. The designation is intended to provide “immediate regulatory certainty” and to accelerate commercial operations from an expected start in 2039 to as early as 2035. A final investment decision is slated for mid-2027.
02
Background & Context
RBT2 follows more than a decade of regulatory reviews and is the second major development to receive fast-track status under the Building Canada Act, after the Pacific Link oil pipeline. The Major Projects Office evaluates such projects to boost trade diversification and reinforce economic sovereignty amid shifting global trade dynamics.
03
Data & Statistics
- Estimated capital investment: $5.9 billion.
- Annual container capacity increase: 2.4 million containers, raising total port capacity by ? 50 percent.
- Projected support for ? 17,000 jobs across Canadian supply chains.
- Anticipated contribution to GDP: ? $3 billion per year.
- Expected reduction in shipping-related costs: $800-$900 million annually, with broader savings of $1 billion through rail, logistics and port modernisation.
04
Official Statements & Responses
Transport Minister Steven MacKinnon said additional capacity is essential to prevent rising congestion and keep shipping costs affordable. Prime Minister Mark Carney framed the listing as a step toward a stronger, more independent economy. Vancouver Fraser Port Authority President Peter Xotta called the project “nation-building,” highlighting its role in unlocking trade capacity and creating high-paying jobs. Premier-designate Lorne Doerkson stressed that the expansion prepares Canada for future economic demands.
05
Verbatim Quotes
- “Without this additional capacity, congestion at the port could drive shipping costs to more than $800 million a year by 2035,” — Steven MacKinnon
- “We continue to have concerns about the impacts of the project and the long-term health for the Fraser River ... and the Salish Sea,” — Laura Cassidy
- “It is about ensuring Canada remains competitive in an increasingly interconnected global economy,” — Lorne Doerkson
06
Why It Matters / Impact
Accelerating RBT2 aims to alleviate port congestion, lower transportation costs and improve supply-chain reliability for Canadian exporters. The project is positioned as a pillar of economic sovereignty, reducing reliance on U.S. trade routes and supporting diversification toward Indo-Pacific markets. Environmental safeguards remain a condition of the designation, with commitments to protect marine habitats, including the endangered Southern Resident killer whales, and to pursue “quiet vessel” technologies. Indigenous consultation is framed as a partnership, with 27 Mutual Benefit Agreements intended to generate training and procurement opportunities for local communities.
07
What’s Next
The government expects a final investment decision by mid-2027, after which construction can proceed under the expedited regulatory framework. Parallel infrastructure, such as the Pacific Link pipeline delivering one million barrels of oil daily to the same port area, is slated for approval completion by Sept. 1, 2027. Ongoing monitoring of environmental commitments and Indigenous consultations will shape the project’s implementation timeline.