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A federal investigation has commenced into the allision involving the bulk carrier Cape Apricot and a causeway at the Westshore Terminals coal port in Roberts Bank. On December 7, the vessel collided with the causeway, causing the destruction of approximately 100 meters of the structure, which included a critical coal conveyor system. This incident has severed the sole connection to one of the terminal's two loading berths, impacting the operations at North America's busiest coal port by reducing its capacity by half. As the investigation is in its initial phase, a comprehensive report detailing findings and recommendations will be released upon its conclusion. The damage to Berth 1, which can accommodate vessels up to 260,000 deadweight tonnes with a rail-mounted shiploader operating at 7,000 tonnes per hour, poses a significant operational setback. Reconstruction efforts are expected to span several months. During the allision, several tonnes of coal spilled into the surrounding waters; however, Westshore Terminals has stated that the environmental impact remains minimal, as coal is considered inert and safe in its natural state. Plans are being developed for the removal of the spilled coal. In response to the incident, Westshore has launched a lawsuit against the owners of the Cape Apricot, alleging negligence on the part of the vessel's management and crew in navigating and operating the ship.

On December 9, significant efforts were underway to mitigate environmental impacts after the cargo ship 'Cape Apricot' collided with a trench, severely damaging the coal loading belt at Westshore Terminals. The allision caused over 30 tons of coal to tumble into Georgia Strait, with more than 100 meters of the loading mechanism rendered inoperable. Vacuum trucks worked tirelessly throughout the weekend to recover the remaining 100 tonnes of coal stranded on the belt. An independent environmental advisor was present at the scene to assess the incident and guide Westshore on the appropriate disposal of coal in the water. Westshore Terminals is prioritizing safety and will await recommendations from the environmental advisor before proceeding with the demolition of the compromised sections of the belt and initiating reconstruction efforts. Interestingly, the 'Cape Apricot' itself incurred no damage and has since been redirected to Westshore’s smaller berth for loading. Teck Resources Limited is actively addressing the reduction in coal shipping capacity at Westshore due to the allision. The first berth is currently non-operational, and its return to service timeline remains uncertain. In the meantime, Teck is shifting its shipping operations to Berth 2 at Westshore and is assessing alternate routes through Neptune Terminals, as well as potential additional shipments via Pacific Coast Terminals and Ridley Terminals. Despite the disruption, a preliminary evaluation suggests that Teck is on track to meet or perhaps exceed its sales guidance of 6.2 million tonnes for the fourth quarter. Westshore also has available inventory space, indicating that the recent incident is not anticipated to significantly impact coal production for the fourth quarter. For more details and images of the cleanup efforts, visit Metro News.

The Westshore Terminals in Vancouver is facing significant operational challenges following an incident involving the bulk carrier "Cape Apricot". On December 7, 2012, at 1 a.m., the vessel collided with a trestle that acts as the sole bridge between the terminal and its berth, resulting in extensive damage. The collision destroyed over 100 meters of this critical infrastructure. As a consequence, the coal conveyor system has been taken out of service indefinitely, severely hampering the port's capacity to export coal and delaying deliveries to customers. This accident not only knocked out the largest of the port's two berths but also caused an undetermined volume of coal to spill into Georgia Strait. The impacted berth can accommodate ships with a cargo capacity of up to 260,000 tonnes, making its loss a staggering setback for Westshore, which holds the title of North America's largest coal exporting port. Presently, operations are limited to the remaining berth, capable of handling vessels with a maximum capacity of 180,000 tonnes. The full impact of this incident on the local waters off the Fraser delta is still being ascertained. For detailed coverage, viewers can access the report with accompanying video at http://www.vancouversun.com/news/Ship+crashes+into+dock+Westshore+Terminals+spilling+coal+into+water+with+video/7667184/story.html#ixzz2EU4QcvfR.