John D. Boyd | Feb 22, 2011 12:24PM EST
Port Metro Vancouver and Canadian Pacific Railway unveiled a "collaboration agreement" they say should improve productivity and reliability in moving goods through that major Canadian trade flow gateway.
The broad framework agreement is the latest in a series between railroads, ports and terminal operators across Canada. CP last summer struck deals with two major intermodal terminals at Vancouver. Rival carrier Canadian National Railway also reached a broad supply chain collaboration deal with the port last May.
CP and the Vancouver port said their new accord "sets the framework for the port, CP and port stakeholders to develop mechanisms to define, measure, monitor and evaluate the performance of each participant."
It also sets up a process to sort out service-related issues "resolve disputes between CP, the port and port supply chain participants on a commercial basis."
Robin Silvester, Port Metro Vancouver's president and CEO, said the agreement has "an emphasis on reciprocal accountability" that should boost Vancouver's competitiveness in wooing shipments.
CP's chief marketing officer, Jane O'Hagan, said the accord allows for "cross-supply chain collaboration" that should improve performance. "CP strongly believes in the growth opportunities that underpin the Vancouver gateway," she said.
-- Contact John D. Boyd at jboyd@joc.com.
