Supporting the 2026 FIFA World Cup

In 2026 the Port of Vancouver welcomed thousands of bustling FIFA World Cup fans to the host city. With the sporting event coinciding with peak cruise season, the Vancouver Fraser Port Authority (VFPA) faced a considerable challenge of managing both significant commercial and recreational traffic volumes safely and efficiently.

In 2021, VFPA launched the Active Vessel Traffic Management (AVTM) project, together with key technology partner DHI Seaport who developed the underlying scheduling platform, Centralised Scheduling System (CSS) also known as NCOS ONLINE Safe Transit. The CSS system integrates advanced digital modelling such as weather forecasts and tides to help plan and optimize commercial ship movements in high-traffic areas of the Vancouver harbour where it streamlines over 3,000 annual vessel calls.

The results have been most visible at the Second Narrows, the port’s busiest trade intersection where the CN Second Narrows Rail Bridge crosses the navigation channel and tidal restrictions can limit the volume of ships passing through. Through improved coordination under the AVTM Program, the port authority has effectively managed increased trade activity, enabling ship movements through the Second Narrows to rise by 40% and CN Rail train crossings to increase by about 10%.

The AVTM Program also introduced near-time arrival, which shares real-time port conditions with inbound vessels so they can time their arrival at the port with terminal readiness. This supports port call efficiency and reduces idle times at anchor.

In 2026, in response to the increased forecasted demand for anchoring of recreational vessels ahead of the World Cup games, DHI Seaport and VFPA enhanced the anchorage module of the CSS platform to provide greater flexibility and adaptability.  This agile development methodology allows VFPA to adapt the system according to changing traffic conditions, to reflect changing trade and customer projections.

In the words of Sean Baxter, Director of Marine Operations and Harbour Master “When the Trans Mountain Pipeline Expansion Project came online in 2024, that was the biggest increase in cargo throughput in the port in decades. We were able to bring an additional 20 million tons into the port without skipping a beat.”

The city of Vancouver welcomed over 300,000 fans during the 2026 FIFA World Cup games, entertaining crowds with all the splendour of a maritime city and VFPA played a key role in ensuring a smooth and enjoyable visit for their guests.  DHI Seaport was honoured to play a small part of such a vibrant, joyful and important international event that connects communities, countries and cultures from across the world.

We look forward to being part of the next FIFA World Cup games, in the next maritime host city port.