Planning to dredge the Burrard Inlet to maximize oil shipments is underway [Video]

An ocean pollution researcher and at least one First Nation are raising concerns about the Vancouver Fraser Port Authority’s (VFPA) plan to dredge the Burrard Inlet. 

Dredging is when the bed of a body of water is dug out to make way for ships or for construction or cleaning purposes.

Ocean researcher Juan José Alava told CBC’s On The Coast that periodic dredging is common for navigation maintenance in the Inlet. However, he says he was surprised to hear that the port is planning to dredge for the purpose of maximizing oil tanker capacity. 

The VFPA plan is to maximize oil shipments from the port. Currently, Aframax tankers, a specific size of oil tanker, with a deadweight ranging from 80,000 to 120,000 metric tonnes, can carry loads up to 80 per cent, with the goal of increasing capacity to 100 per cent. However, doing so carries the risk of hitting the sea bottom. 

According to Alava, another risk is environmental harm.

LISTEN | Burrard Inlet could be dredged …