Stewart World Port: the big LNG port in a tiny Northern B.C. town
Stewart, B.C. is getting a huge port - but is a small district of less than 500 people near the Alaska border
Amidst all the talk about B.C.'s ports in Kitimat and Prince Rupert, you may have missed the announcement about another international port in Stewart, B.C. — a small district of fewer than 500 people near the Alaska border.
Set to open in June, Stewart World Port will see massive, football-field sized ships sailing past the ice-capped mountains of the Portland Canal, bringing in infrastructure for mining projects, tubes for LNG pipelines and possibly equipment to serve the forestry industry in the future.
"Stewart is right on the cusp. They're uniquely positioned in the heart of one of the most mineral rich regions in North America," Brad Moffat — the chief development officer for the Stewart World Port — told Daybreak North's Russell Bowers.
"On top of that they're on the doorstep of the Yukon and Northern Alberta, so perfectly set up for breakbulk cargos to both of those destinations as well."
Once operational, it will be the most northerly ice free port in Canada, and will serve both British Columbia and Alaska, exporting mineral concentrate, coal and forestry products.
"The port is intentionally constructed to serve many sectors of the economy so we are going to be in business for decades and our customers are going to see upturns and downturns, but the port will make it through all of those."
Moffat said support from the community has been overwhelmingly positive.
"I know the community is behind us 100 per cent and they can't wait to see the economic impact that it has on the community."
To hear more about the Stewart World Port, click the audio labelled: Stewart, B.C. awaits new international port.