Dredging of Burrard Inlet to begin in September following federal regulatory approval

Federal regulatory approval has paved the way for dredging to begin in Burrard Inlet near Second Narrows.

Work is set to commence in September 2026, and when complete, will allow ships to leave Trans Mountain’s Westridge Marine Terminal en route for global destinations with more product.

Draft restrictions currently prevent Aframax-class ships from loading up to their full capacity.

"Dredging in the Second Narrows' deep-sea navigation channel will boost export capacity at the port and allow Canada to move more of the goods we produce to overseas markets — supporting a stronger national economy," Vancouver Fraser Port Authority Properties and Development Vice President Jennifer Natland said.

She noted that the work will be carried out "in a way that both grows Canadian exports and support jobs, while continuing to respect the environment and local communities."

According to the VFPA, the approval granted via a Fisheries Act authorization from Fisheries and Oceans Canada includes over 100 "legally binding conditions to avoid, mitigate and offset potential adverse effects of the works on fish and fish habitat."

In addition to dredging the edges of the deep-sea navigation channel just east of the Ironworkers Memorial Bridge, work will include "removing segments of decommissioned Metro Vancouver waterlines that overlap with the deep-sea navigation channel within the proposed dredging areas" and "installing new navigation aids west of the Ironworkers Memorial Bridge near Columbia Containers terminal on Burrard Inlet’s south shore to support safe vessel movements."