Seaport Sector

The project’s purpose was to conduct an assessment that would accelerate measurable and sustainable supply chain and logistics throughput performance improvements to capitalize on a confidential client’s growth opportunities in a rising commodity market while maintaining customer service reliability and cost discipline. Wave Point Consulting was part of the team of experts assembled by the #1 firm on Consulting.us list of the US’s best supply chain consulting firms. Our role included maritime terminal and ocean shipping expertise and the interface of rail and vessel operations. The team utilized the Total Value Optimization approach to assess and identify where the client could improve to anticipate and meet demand through the synchronization of its plan-buy-make-move-fulfill digital supply chain to deliver the greatest value to customers and stakeholders at the lowest cost and risk to business.

Wave Point Consulting is part of the Davies Transportation Consulting, and Hatch Associates Consultants, Inc. led team providing on-call cargo and facility planning services. The scope of work could include implementing organizational plans and goals; analysis of potential customer and/or business development opportunities; options to enhance facilities; improvements to marketability; developing a project basis of design for grant applications, mitigating port activities, addressing climate change and other environmental risk factors. The work can involve a broad range of port-related subjects such as engineering, environmental, operational efficiencies, market analysis, port competition, site planning, capacity and throughput, strategic planning, green port initiatives, freight mobility, intermodal transport, vulnerability assessments and economics. Consultant services may include the range of port-related cargoes including, but not limited to: containers; breakbulk; bulk; roll-on / roll-off; project cargoes. Work could include NWSA-licensed properties or Port of Tacoma facilities. Occasionally, analysis involving properties outside of the NWSA and Port of Tacoma portfolio, such as rail yards or industrial properties related to cargo handling or expansion opportunities. Occasionally, work may involve comparative analysis of other port facilities outside of the NWSA Gateway and/or their operations.

The goal of the updated Clean Trucks Program is to transition the current drayage truck fleet to near-zero technologies in the near-term and, ultimately, zero-emissions technologies by 2035. The Clean Air Action Plan Update committed to a Clean Truck Fund Rate Economic study. The scope includes an assessment of how the rate will affect the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach (POLA/POLB) economic competitiveness by considering the potential for cargo diversion. Wave Point Consulting participated under a consulting team led by Davies Transportation Consulting Inc. The purpose of this study was to assess how the Clean Truck Fund (CTF) rate will affect the drayage industry, economic competitiveness and potential for cargo diversion. The scope of the work included a historical review and analysis of the CTP rate, a profile of TransPacific containerized imports, a discussion on the evolution of transportation costs, beneficial cargo owner costs, potential import cargo diversion, and factors impacting San Pedro Bay port market share. Inland port market shares in major inland markets, export container cargo diversion, impacts of the CRF rates on the drayage sector, estimating the change in fleet composition, and revenue and costs associated with various rates were also analyzed.

Keer Wood Leidal Associates LTD is leading a project to set the North Shore municipalities and the Port of Vancouver on a shared path of adaptation towards a resilient, thriving future by proactively planning for expected increases in flood and erosion risk due to sea level rise. The District and City of North Vancouver, the District of West Vancouver, and the seaport are collaborating inter-jurisdictionally and leveraging shared values, assets, and knowledge so that they can move forward with a consistent sea level rise (SLR) risk management strategy for the North Shore. The project will produce a coordinated SLR adaptive management strategy based on science and policy, which will be developed through engagement with a spectrum of stakeholders. The strategy will provide each partner with prioritized adaptation actions on sectors of interest. The scope of the project involved the following segments: development and infrastructure, social services, environment, and economy. Darryl Anderson and Phil Davies are bringing their specialized port industry expertise to bear on Phase 3 of this project (Exposure, Vulnerability, and Risk), specifically considering the Vancouver Fraser Port Authority.

A private Australia Asia-based company that supplies industrial logistics products to the port industry retained Wave Point Consulting. Port and shipping consultants used existing secondary data sources and our market knowledge to identify screening criteria to establish priorities for more in-depth market research for the client. The strategic review covered the stevedores’, ports/marine terminals and overall volume of cargo handled (export, import, domestic, or transshipped) that may be suitable for the company’s cargo handling equipment. Our team identified common maritime logistics practices, and cargo handling and shipping activities, drawing attention to the distinct regional characteristics and trends that will have an impact on the company’s growth strategy. Subsequently, the client engaged our team to undertake in-depth analysis in the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence Seaway regions of Canada and the United States and support a port industry business development trip to North America by senior company executives.

The objective of this port industry consulting assignment was to provide a market analysis that fully considers the benefits and challenges associated with various maritime activities primarily of commercial vessels. The seaport project also included developing recommendations on how possible redevelopment opportunities might be best aligned with the port’s master land use plan. The Wave Point team relied on a mix of qualitative and quantitative methodologies and the subject matter expertise of team members to complete the project. The results of the market findings along with an analysis of the airside, landside and waterside constraints and considerations were used to prepare a Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, Threats (SWOT) analysis.

Mr. Anderson was a senior port and shipping consultant for the QGI Consulting led project completed for a confidential seaport client. The objectives were to review supply chain and logistics issues for Canadian and essential US agricultural product trade flows; Identify the customer’s advantages for both bulk and containerized agricultural products and leveraging them to attract additional export sales volume. Provide an understanding of the strengths and limitations of the existing container and bulk infrastructure in the North American trade corridors used by the client’s customers. The research insights overcome market intelligence obstacles so that containerized and bulk export agricultural product export business development and logistics infrastructure investment decisions were aligned with the port’s market opportunities.

Mr. Anderson was retained by a Stantec led project for the Greater Victoria Harbour Authority (GVHA). As a senior seaport industry consultant, he reviewed and confirmed previous market condition assumptions and identified gaps or needs to be considered as part of the functional and facilities planning process. The focus of the work was on deepening the port’s understanding of the cruise passenger and marine cargo market conditions that would influence the development of the Ogden Point Master Plan. Significant issues related to land use and spatial planning were identified so the implications of these factors could be considered proactively. The Functional and Facilities Plan focused on the strategic development of Ogden Point marine terminal, determining what is viable in the near and long term for the site, and how it will impact or benefit the GVHA and stakeholders.

An independent Western Canadian investment dealer engaged Wave Point Consulting to conduct pre-feasibility business and operational analysis of a potential maritime terminal project on the West Coast of North America. The insights and analysis led to recommendations on ways to strengthen the business case for this seaport and freight shipping sector investment opportunity. The findings helped reduce the project risks and decrease the time to market for this new transportation service. Thus, making it a more attractive port industry business opportunity for equity investors and more secure for issuers of corporate loans during the construction and operating phase.

The Asia Pacific Gateway Skills Table partnered with the British Columbia Trucking Association (BCTA) to engage the services of a seaport consultant to undertake an intercept survey and data analysis to provide labour market data to industry stakeholders, including industry associations, training institutions, and government. The research was intended to help inform and guide future initiatives in the freight shipping drayage sector to enhance performance for imports exports. In this Davies Transportation Consulting led project, Mr. Anderson played a crucial role in gathering information, survey pre-testing, stakeholder communications, and analysis. R.A. Malatest and Associates Ltd. (RAM) is the project partner undertaking the surveys for this road & highway project. The report’s results were used to help enhance the performance and efficiency of this significant segment of the port industry logistic sector. It can be downloaded at the APGST website.

Darryl Anderson of Wave Point Consulting was a senior seaport and shipping consultant for a B2B port sector research project involving an export customer trade and logistics needs and opportunities assessment with the goal of increasing market share. Project tasks included sample selection, in-person and executive telephone interviews, data analysis and the development of client recommendations. Interview instruments captured qualitative and quantitative data for assessing the factors affecting a representative group of current and potential customers (shipping lines, shippers, 3PL/Freight Forwarders, etc.) decision-making criteria for providing service to, or using a specific port. Identification and analysis of critical factors influencing container lines’ equipment allocation decisions were also conducted. The port industry client developed a more robust understanding of import export requirements based on global supply chain decision-making criteria. Opportunities for improving customer service through supply chain reconfiguration or the provision of new services were identified. Prioritized export cargo opportunity list to support port marketing efforts and infrastructure planning and investments decision-making were aligned with trade and logistics market requirements. As a result, loaded TEU container exports through the port more than doubled.

Mr.  Darryl Anderson co-authored the terms of reference and was the seaport project manager for the study initiated by the Port Alberni Port Authority and the City of Port Alberni.  The scope of work included strategic land use analysis for both the downtown and core commercial waterfront area, measures to increase public access, strategies to deal with brownfield properties and waterfront planning to accommodate cruise vessels to update the Port Authority logistic infrastructure land use plan as required by the Canada Marine Act. The local municipal government accepted study recommendations. The recommendations  included ways to improve efficiency, incorporate environmental sustainability into planning principles and infrastructure renewal decisions and the introduction of traffic calming measures to create a more pedestrian-friendly community. The plan led to an $8.2 million initial investment in support of the seaport and shipping sector.

As an independent researcher, Mr. Darryl Anderson wrote the terms of reference, developed study methodology and completed the maritime transportation study. The report explored the transportation, infrastructure, logistics, and supply chain challenges that arise from the specialized nature of the maritime midstream sector. Historically, Canada’s West Coast ports have predominantly specialized in the handling of dry bulk cargo, intermodal, and cruise ship traffic. Existing Canadian seaport planning literature was primarily focused on ways to increase our trade competitiveness using these old port foundations. The research report utilized the growth vector analysis technique to identify midstream energy sector opportunities that arise from Alberta’s oil-sands industry, and a potential B.C. offshore oil and gas industry. The study concluded by identifying the critical maritime transport policy and seaport infrastructure planning implications that would enhance the performance of those trying to serve export energy developments.