The modern years have been ones of stability and growth. Westshore consistently ships over 21 million tonnes of coal a year to about 20 countries. Throughput depends on volatile world markets and factors beyond Westshore’s control, but a policy of continuous improvements keeps the equipment running and in synch with high-tech advances.

Westshore completed a three-phase $49 million equipment upgrade late in 2009 with the commissioning of a fourth stacker-reclaimer, which arrived on site in June for assembly and testing. Earlier phases began in 2007 when a new conveyor line and ancillary equipment were added and the 2008 changeout of a single rotary dumper from the twin set, so that both could be used to unload the modern, shorter, lighter US-style aluminum rail fleet. Westshore retains the ability to dump the older, heavier Canadian style steel coal car fleet of the 1970s, which is gradually being replaced by the railways.

Although it didn’t increase Westshore’s footprint, the upgrade lifted annual throughput capacity from 24 mt to 29mt and enhanced on-site efficiency. Today, Westshore employs a team of over 250 employees.

Bulk ports the world over are moving toward greater equipment automation, where remotely-operated machines, such as stacker-reclaimers, are becoming the norm. Westshore will embrace these advances so that it can remain competitive as Canada’s premier coal export terminal and the busiest single coal export facility in all of North America.