Active Vessel Traffic Management Program

Public engagement updates

Phase three engagement summary report now available

In fall 2022, we held phase three engagement for the AVTM Program to seek feedback on:

• The draft anchorage code of conduct
• Our approach to information sharing and complaint resolution

For a summary of what we heard:
Read the full engagement summary report

Stay informed
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Contact us
For general inquiries about the AVTM Program, email avtm@portvancouver.com in English or French
For inquiries related to a ship currently at anchor, fill out the anchorages online form
For inquiries related to other port activities and projects, fill out the community feedback form

Previous engagement

Phase one engagement
The port authority held the first phase of engagement in early 2022. As part of this engagement, we initiated discussions with Indigenous groups, various levels of government, and community interest groups about opportunities to increase port efficiency and to help better manage the effects of ship traffic on local communities.

Phase two engagement
In summer 2022, the port authority invited you to learn about our work to develop an active vessel traffic management system and to share your ideas.

This phase of engagement focused on: 

• Informing the public on how ship traffic and anchorages are currently managed
• Roles of the Vancouver Fraser Port, Transport Canada and the Canadian Coast Guard
• How increased efficiency will help better manage effects of anchorages on local communities
• The initiatives that are underway to improve efficiency
• Upcoming opportunities to participate in the active vessel traffic management system design

During the engagement period, we heard the following key themes for consideration:  

• Clarify the governance structure and jurisdiction over the Southern Gulf Island anchorages to support effective management and oversight
• Improve the efficiency and scheduling of ship movements to reduce the overall use of anchorages, with consideration for creating financial incentives to eliminate use of anchorages or reduce length of stay.  
• Create and strictly enforce a protocol for ships at anchor to reduce the effects of ships on local communities, particularly noise and light pollution  
• Improve environmental management, protect marine life, and ensure vessel discharge regulations are being followed
• Move anchorages further from residential and environmentally sensitive areas
• Provide a clear process on how residents can submit a complaint, and improve follow up with residents on how complaints have been addressed 
• Integrate Indigenous knowledge into the review and development of new tools. Engagement with Indigenous groups should consider the cumulative environmental effects of anchorages and impacts on traditional activities.

Some of the feedback noted above falls within Transport Canada’s jurisdiction and is outside our scope of authority. We have shared this feedback with Transport Canada staff. 

If you would like a copy of the engagement summary report for phase one and phase two engagement, please email avtm@portvancouver.com

Phase three engagement
The third phase of engagement was held in fall 2022 and focused on sharing information and collecting feedback on the draft anchorage code of conduct and our approach to information sharing and complaint resolution.

For this phase of engagement, we invited the public to learn about the AVTM Program and provide feedback in-person at three community open houses held on Pender Island, in Cowichan Bay and Ladysmith, and virtually through an online information session and survey. Members of the AVTM Program team and representatives from Transport Canada, Pacific Pilotage Authority, and Canadian Coast Guard were available to answer questions at the open houses. The feedback we received that falls outside our scope of authority was shared with Transport Canada.

Key themes of feedback brought to our attention during this phase of engagement include suggestions to:

• Move, remove, or limit anchorages and reduce or modify ship traffic to mitigate their effects on local communities and the environment 
• Set limits for ship’s length of stay and hours of operation, arrival, and departure 
• Restrict permitted activities while at anchor, such as cleaning, maintenance, and other on-deck work 
• Establish rules for ships at anchor around the Southern Gulf Islands equal to or stricter than those in effect in the Port of Vancouver 
• Increase monitoring and enforcement to ensure compliance with the anchorage code of conduct  
• Implement fees and penalties for non-compliance with the anchorage code of conduct
• Improve protection of marine life, ecosystems, and the environment 
• Include requirements for reducing and eliminating pollution, emissions, discharge, noise, and light in the anchorage code of conduct
• Minimize ships’ ongoing impacts on communities’ quality of life, health, identity, and food sources provided through fishing 
• Mitigate impacts of ship noise and light by reducing or changing use, setting limits, and leveraging technology
• Make complaint resolution a priority by creating a new, user-friendly complaints submission process  
• Ensure follow up with residents on how concerns have been addressed 
• Share information about ships’ cargo type and reason for anchoring with neighbouring communities
• Keep communities informed about the AVTM Program and ships at anchor through website updates and e-newsletters

Based on the feedback received, we are:

• Requesting ships anchored around the Southern Gulf Islands follow the same best practices as the ships anchored at the Port of Vancouver, as outlined in the Port Information Guide
• Developing, in collaboration with industry, additional measures to further reduce the impacts of ships at anchor, including enhanced anchorage management protocols
• Exploring on-water service to monitor ships anchored around the Southern Gulf Islands
• Exploring, in collaboration with Transport Canada, incentive measures to better manage anchorage use, as well as disincentives for long stays at anchorages in the Southern Gulf Islands
• Reviewing the frequency and content of project updates and improving our process to keep the community informed
• Continuing to consider feedback throughout the implementation of the anchorage code of conduct and making changes as needed

Learn more about the third phase of engagement, including the feedback we received:
Read the full engagement summary report

About the project

The Vancouver Fraser Port Authority is designing an active vessel traffic management system to manage marine traffic flow for commercial ships bound for the Port of Vancouver. This work is being done in collaboration with supply chain partners and industry stakeholders. We are also seeking input from Indigenous groups, various levels of government, community stakeholders, and the public.

The new system enhances marine safety, enables the efficient flow of goods to and from the Port of Vancouver, and helps manage environmental impacts, as well as negative social effects such as ambient noise and light pollution. It complements existing safety and navigation services provided by the Canadian Coast Guard and Pacific Pilotage Authority.

Visit the project webpage to learn more portvancouver.com/marine-operations/avtm

Stay informed

To receive information about this project, and to be notified about the next phase of engagement, sign up for our newsletter.

Contact the project team, in English of French, at avtm@portvancouver.com