Squamish Terminals Ltd. is a deep-water, break-bulk terminal located in Squamish, BC, Canada and since 1972 has been serving customers in Western Canada, across North America and around the world.
Squamish Terminals traces its history back to the 1960s, when the extension of the BC Railway to the north and the expansion of pulp production capacity in BC led to the opportunity for the development of a deep water port up the coast from Vancouver.
Newspaper archives report that Robert Cattermole, a prominent forestry executive in BC, made the initial investment to build the first wharf facility on the waterfront. The Training Dyke was built by the community. Cattermole entered into an agreement with Star Shipping in 1971 to expand the wharf development through a joint venture, Squamish Terminals Ltd.
Perhaps nobody was more enthusiastic about the port development than Pat Brennan, then mayor of Squamish. In June 1971, when the site of the proposed terminal was still an area of reclaimed land, Per Waaler of Star Shipping came to visit on the Star Cruiser, a boat which was then tied up to a log boom. A meeting had been arranged with Mayor Brennan to exchange views on Squamish and worldwide shipping in general.
After an enthusiastic exchange of ideas, the time came for the return trip. To their surprise, the log boom had started on its way down Howe Sound with Star Cruiser as part of its tow. Mayor Brennan promptly volunteered to swim after the tow and retrieve the boat. While the offer was politely declined and the boat was retrieved by other means, the mayor’s show of hospitality and camaraderie was certainly appreciated.
The first ship, the Star Columbia, arrived in November 1972 (photo in inset above). Since then Squamish Terminals has handled more than 22 million tonnes of cargo.
Historic Newspaper Articles:
Squamish Times – December 6, 1967 (180 KB)
Squamish Citizen – August 16, 1972 (364 KB)
The Supply Post – July/August 1974
The Supply Post – Part 1 (3,733 KB)
The Supply Post – Part 2 (1,916 KB)
