World of opportunities: terminal seen as a new link to business with the 49th State.

• Position: WORLD TRADE CENTER SPECIAL SECTION

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There are grand openings, and then there are grand openings. In early September, the opening of the Prince Rupert (British Columbia) Fairview Container Terminal is creating a new high-speed, congestion-free trade corridor between Asia and North America. Now, that's a grand opening.

The $170 million (Canadian) project hails a new era for Prince Rupert, a major milestone in the gateway initiatives of Canada and British Columbia, and a wave of new business opportunities for CN Rail and Maher Terminals.

Phase I of the project is to be completely operational by late fall and the terminal fully operational by 2014.

The project is a convergence of the private-public partnership to finance and complete the first dedicated intermodal container terminal in North America, notes Prince Rupert Port Authority President and CEO Don Krusel.

"We will be able to offer both Asian and North American shippers unparalleled reliability, efficiency and speed in moving their products through our port," said Krusel.

Five partners combined to make the terminal project possible, on schedule and on budget: Maher Terminals, Government of Canada, Province of British Columbia, CN Rail, and Prince Rupert Port Authority.

"Fifty years ago, Canada opened up Atlantic trade to North America with investments in the St. Lawrence Seaway. Today, we are beginning to see investments and even greater opportunity as we open up trade corridors...