Pressure on Port Efficiency key to success THE PORT of Vancou- ver, employing hundreds of North Shore workers, faces challenges in its bid to remain competitive. By lan Noble News Reporter But those challenges can be met, said Kevin Little, Vancouver Port Corporation (VPC) vice-president of cus- tomer service and trade devel- opment. “Simply put, what the port needs is more autonomy.” said Little to a North Vancouver Chamber of Commerce breakfast Thurs- day. “We need the ability to make quick decisions to be able to respond to the needs of our customers. We also need to reduce our costs.” He added. he’s confident the objectives will be met -through.a new marine policy that is now being discussed in , Ottawa, and that competition ‘ presented, by American ports. continues to be’a threat as the . Seattle “Port ‘continues to “enjoy®.taxing suthority.- The Vancouver port:pays taxes. axJAccording - to - Little,’ VANCOUVER PORT Corp's Kevin Little. a tonne for bulk and forest products moving through North Vancouver. That may not sound like much,, said Little, but for products like coal, which cost $50 a ton, that is equal to a very significant 5%. Eighty-four percent of the tonnage that! moves through . Seat e raised $40 raillion last : sally start out Jan.1; with a $50 million dis- ° ivan sitage,”” he said. “In our ° a) that's “a. lot of U.S. (ports pay. “property. ‘taxescon the value of ‘the - :- “Canadian railroads, ‘which’ * (ansport many, of the com-.. “ modities that find their way to - North Shore.terminals. “In addition, ‘ports in the nited States’ don’t pay. $2 . “ fnillion to support a national” “Office or a‘ dividend to the’ , feds, said Little... . mos “The differences equate to a significantly higher cost. for ’ the Port of Vancouver. ’ “Those: costs have..to, be recovered ‘somehow but we ‘still have ‘to be’ competitive,”” » said Little. . To demonstrate the com- petitive pressures faced by the port, Little noted the differ- the port is bulk, he continued: “Bulk is Canada’s business. We've got to keep that busi- ness and grow that business.” But all is not lost, as revealed by the fact the port handled a record 71.5 million tonnes of cargo in 1995, up 5.7% from 1994. Little said the business came to the port because the facilities are as efficient as those anywhere else in the world and local labor is the world’s best. The U.S. charge out rate is $60 an hour; in Canada it's $37. Canadian railroads are also some of the best in the world, he said, Little noted the port faces other pressures. Potash that today is handled by North Vancouver's Vancouver Wharves and Neptune termi- nals will likely be going to Portland at a cost of 40 jobs and $1 million in tax revenue. As well, a $700 million a year subsidy for grain moving through Canadian ports is now gone. fe that your future is in good hands ‘0 let you know they care a6 { COLLISION SPECIALISTS ) Our 38th Year 1.C.B.C. - aa Bee Perkins | vice President J B.C.A.A. = APPROVED CENTRE FREE COURTESY CARS FOR COLLISION REPAIRS x “LIFETIME GUARANTEE” 1 AS LONG AS YOU OWN YOUR CAR § aS - DON TAYLOR. "Same owner, same high | ence in tax costs equals $2.50; ; WED., MARCH 27 | STO SAT., MARCH 30 } TALKING * Estimates x § Consultation aziaials 985-7455 == Macintosh Computer? , Private tutoring, in-home, ‘office and | group instruction -® Internet setaip and training “@ Help with hiindreds of Macintosh applications! ° ¢ System set-up, troubleshooting and networking’ ©. Scanner, CD-ROM, HD and modem experts -© Printer software problems are no problem! ©’ Custom database systems and custom programming _ © Custom invoicing, estimating and IMS systems * New Macintosh computer sales and leasing © Memory and logic board upgrades | © Offering the best hourly rates in Vancouver! * Nearly every client we have assisted has become a satisfied repeat client © Now over 350 steady clients strong! Apple. vCal Us if Your Mac Is Driving You Crazy! @) Mountain Hidge Dataworks r Tel: 983-9206 Fax: 983: 9417 Authorized Reseller Of Macintosh Computers And Apple Products ARA. A Fresh, boneless, skinless, club pack™ chicken breast 584649 |parkay | margarine 873469. Black Diamond, assorted, 500 g |Cheese slices 068965 iodized salt Kraft, 500 ml, regular or calorie wise _ salad dressings Post, regular and spoon sized, 600-675 g , shredded wheat 242727 Prices in effect uniii closing March 30, 1996, while stocks last. We reserve the right to limit quantities.