Western inland ports form alliance

CentrePort Canada Inc. has formed an alliance with three other inland ports.

President and CEO Carly Edmundson signed a memorandum of understanding in Ottawa on Monday with Global Transportation Hub Authority, located in Regina; Port Alberta, located in the Edmonton Metropolitan Region; and Prairie Economic Gateway, a shovel-ready collaboration between the City of Calgary and Rocky View County.

The newly formed Canadian Inland Ports Alliance will align on major inland port initiatives, strengthening seaport-to-hinterland connectivity and supporting a more resilient, diversified and competitive Canadian trade network, the alliance announced in a news release.

The four ports have been in conversation since the summer, Edmundson told the Free Press on Monday. The alliance responds to growing pressures facing Canada’s trade and transportation network, including congestion, shifting trade partners, supply chain disruptions, marine gateway constraints and the need for stronger inland capacity.

Working together and complementing one another will help speed up coordinated action, increase interprovincial trade, expand access to global markets and strengthen supply chain reliability, Edmundson said.

“We decided to form this alliance in order to have those conversations on a regular basis, but also to work with other government partners like the federal government to make sure that policy and planning is aligning with what we’re seeing on the front lines,” she said.

Some people might suggest these ports are competitors, Edmundson added, but she doesn’t share that view.

“I see it as a rising tide lifts all boats,” she said. “We very much see collaboration as the key to success going forward (as we) build a strong Canada together.”

aaron.epp@winnipegfreepress.com