Going with the grain
G3 is transforming the way grain moves with an expanding network of facilities that set new standards for fast, safe and reliable operations.
In the coming years, Canadian agricultural production is predicted to increase, at the same time as global demand for agri-products is also increasing, due in large part to global population growth and increasing wealth. Canada’s position as a top global agricultural producer with a stable and secure business environment makes our agribusiness sector an attractive location for investment in infrastructure development.
Headquartered in Winnipeg, Manitoba, G3 focuses on efficiency to create opportunity for our customers across Canada and around the world.
New Vancouver Terminal
In 2016, G3 announced its decision to build a state-of-the-art grain export terminal in North Vancouver, British Columbia, the first new grain terminal constructed at the Port of Vancouver since the 1960s.
The G3 Vancouver terminal is central to the company’s vision of a coast-to-coast grain handling network that sets a new standard in efficiency, and will transform the movement of grain through the west coast, providing Canadian farmers with competitive pricing and reliable delivery opportunities.
G3 Terminal Vancouver is designed to optimize grain receiving, storage, and shipping throughout operations on Canada’s west coast, and act as an essential conduit for Canadian farmers and marketers to ensure global competitiveness in moving agricultural commodities to world markets. Primary materials handled at the G3 facility include wheat, soybeans, canola, peas, corn (occasionally) and some specialty by-products.
G3’s Vancouver terminal will feature a rail loop track that will be capable of holding three 134-car trains, unique to grain exporting terminals in Canada. The terminal includes over 180,000 metric tonnes of storage and will be able to handle cereal grains, oilseeds, pulses and special crops, much of which will be supplied via a throughput agreement with G3 Canada Limited. This will allow trains to travel to Vancouver, unload while in continuous motion, and travel back to G3 Canada’s primary elevators, including four recently constructed primary elevators, without detaching from their locomotives, critical to increasing supply chain efficiency.
In addition to improved rail efficiency, G3’s Vancouver facility was designed with a focus on high velocity receiving, shipping, and best-in-class environmental and safety standards, representing the next generation in grain terminal design.
The development of G3’s Vancouver terminal is led by Bill Mooney, who has extensive Vancouver grain terminal management experience, together with G3’s team of experienced project engineers. Peter Kiewit Infrastructure Co. has been selected as the design-build contractor for the project.
Canada’s grain and oilseed crops generate $23 billion in exports each year—almost ½ of Canada’s total food and agriculture exports—making them a major contributor to the Canadian economy. However, recent challenges have highlighted the fact that the industry’s current grain movement infrastructure is not sufficient to meet the need created by the increasing supply and demand for Canadian grain. Western Canadian farmers also have the longest average distance to port of any grain-exporting country, creating a natural challenge in getting their products to market at a competitive price. Modernizing infrastructure such as rail links and port facilities is necessary for Canadian producers to maintain competitive access.
G3 will also provide local benefits including 175 construction jobs, and 50-60 permanent jobs. Indirectly, G3 will help generate additional employment through its work with suppliers and other companies.
G3 in the Community
G3 has provided $35,000 to the City of North Vancouver for a tree replacement project that will enrich the environment and provide a sight and sound barrier between the community and nearby industrial areas. The city planned to replace the trees removed during a bike path and bus lane construction project but the additional funding from G3 will accelerate and enhance the project.
Additional Grain Elevators
In December 2019, G3 announced plans to open an additional two new grain elevators in Alberta and Saskatchewan. G3 Vermilion, Alberta will have a capacity of 34,000 tonnes and is located on CN Rail; G3 Swift Current, SK will have a capacity of 42,000 tonnes and is located on CP Rail. Construction will begin in early 2020, pending final regulatory approvals, with completion in 2021.
Both new elevators will be built with the same high-efficiency features as our other new facilities in Western Canada: a loop track that can quickly load a 150-car unit train, and the ability to unload a Super-B truck in less than five minutes.
“Central Alberta is one of the most important grain growing regions in Canada,” says G3 CEO Don Chapman. “We are excited to be able to provide farmers in the region a new choice to market their grain through modern facilities that will save them time and money. G3 has been steadily growing to serve some of the most productive grain growing regions in Western Canada—we’re happy to add Vermilion and Swift Current to our network and give farmers there a fast and efficient option for moving their grain to market.”
https://g3terminalvancouver.ca/
*SOURCE G3 Canada Limited
