The conversion of many major international ocean trades to container facilities makes truly intermodal cargo movement possible. However the ocean carriers have embraced the concept of containerization with much more fervor than have the inland carriers. As a result the van container has been utilized much less than might be expected for inland cargo movement. This study has concentrated on the movement of cargo from the Far East to Eastern Canada via Vancouver, in an attempt to discern why 'OCP' traffic, which arrives in containers, is being destuffed and moved eastward in boxcars. This long-haul traffic appears to be of a commodity composition and volume which should move in intact containers. It has been concluded that the inland carrier rates are not conducive to the movement of cargo in intact containers. This is a reflection of unfavorable cargo density characteristics, and to some extent, a lack of containerized cargo volume. While the labor contract in force on the Vancouver waterfront discriminates against off-dock destuffing, the density, and rate considerations are sufficiently important that 'OCP' cargo should maintain its present non-intermodal characteristics. / Business, Sauder School of / Graduate

This thesis provides an analysis of the drop trailer traffic moving between the B.C. Mainland and Vancouver Island. Drop trailers are semi trailers which are literally dropped at the ferry terminal to be transported across the Strait of Georgia without the accompaniment of the power unit and driver. This specialized service is provided only by the British Columbia Coastal Steamship Service, a subsidiary of CP. Rail. One objective of the thesis is to analyze the economics of shipping via drop trailer as opposed to a live unit, or one that includes the driver and tractor unit such as is provided by the B.C. Ferries. A second objective is to determine the size and importance of the market, and to forecast future requirements. A third objective is to analyze the physical facilities available to determine their capacity and possibilities for expansion. The B.C.C.S.S. facility in downtown Vancouver is under pressure from various groups to relocate to a more suitable location. Thus a final objective is an analysis of the benefits and costs of relocating the B.C.C.S.S. terminal to the north Richmond area. Since the drop trailer industry is very specialized, and captive to the B.C.C.S.S., very little information is published or available concerning it. Thus the author has had to rely primarily on discussions with all the parties involved, namely the B.C.C.S.S., City of Vancouver, and numerous carriers. One of the by-products of the thesis is a body of information and data pertaining to the drop trailer industry, that can be used for future research in related topics. The analysis of the economics of shipping via drop trailer shows a substantial savings potential, even though the actual ferry cost is greater. The savings are generated by the elimination of idle driver and tractor time. This saving was estimated at $49.20 per one way trip. During the past decade the volume of drop trailer traffic has been increasing steadily even though railcar traffic has been on the decline. This increase is causing the B.C.C.S.S. to approach the capacity of the present system. Political and physical pressures have raised the issue of relocating the terminal A benefit-cost analysis of a particular alternative, a partial relocation to the north Richmond area shows there can be substantial benefits for carrier as well as the B.C.C.S.S. / Business, Sauder School of / Graduate