Port Metro Vancouver's Canada Place Cruise Terminal First in the World to Install Automated Passport Control Kiosks

VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA--(Marketwired - May 13, 2015) - Port Metro Vancouver, in collaboration with the Vancouver Airport Authority, unveiled 10 BorderXpress Automated Passport Control (APC) kiosks at the Canada Place Cruise Terminal. The new kiosks aim to increase cruise passenger processing rates through the United States Customs and Border Protection area prior to embarking on a cruise from Vancouver to Alaska.

"With this launch, Port Metro Vancouver's cruise terminal has become the first worldwide to utilize automated passport control technology for U.S. bound passengers," said Peter Xotta, Vice President of Planning and Operations with Port Metro Vancouver. "These kiosks will further enhance the cruise passenger experience at Canada Place."

Travellers using BorderXpress can proceed directly to a self-service kiosk in the United States Customs and Border Protection processing area at Port Metro Vancouver, follow the on-screen instructions to scan their passport and answer customs declaration questions, then receive a receipt confirming their information and continue to a U.S. Customs officer to finalize processing.

"Our goal has always been to improve the travel experience," said Craig Richmond, President & CEO, Vancouver Airport Authority. "By expanding our homegrown BorderXpress technology and introducing it at Port Metro Vancouver, YVR is continuing to innovate and make every travel experience, whether at an airport or a port, more efficient and hassle free."

BorderXpress kiosks help U.S. Customs officers process up to four times more passengers than through traditional clearance. With this increased efficiency, travellers leaving from Port Metro Vancouver will experience shorter wait times, less congestion and faster customs processing times.

"U.S. Customs and Border Protection continues to assess and adjust its processes where appropriate and collaboratively work with the tourism industry. The recent evolution of APC for cruise ship passengers is just one more way that the agency is striving to ease the flow of passengers without sacrificing core mission requirements," said Deputy Director, Kurry Pastilong, U.S. Customs and Border Protection.

Eligible passengers for BorderXpress include U.S. and Canadian passport holders and U.S. Permanent Residents. This service is available without pre-registration and at no cost to the user.

About Port Metro Vancouver:

Port Metro Vancouver is Canada's largest port and the fourth largest tonnage port in North America, responsible for Canada's trade with more than 160 world economies. Located in a naturally beautiful setting on Canada's west coast, Port Metro Vancouver is responsible for the efficient and reliable movement of goods and passengers, and integrates environmental, social and economic sustainability initiatives into all areas of port operations. Port Metro Vancouver is committed to meaningful engagement with the communities in which it operates and the shared obligation to improve the quality of life for Canadians. Enabling the trade of approximately $187 billion in goods annually, the port generates an estimated 100,000 jobs, $6.1 billion in wages, and $9.7 billion in GDP across Canada. As a non-shareholder, financially self-sufficient corporation established by the Government of Canada, Port Metro Vancouver operates pursuant to the Canada Marine Act and is accountable to the elected federal Minister of Transport.

About Vancouver Airport Authority

Vancouver Airport Authority is a community-based, not-for-profit organization that manages Vancouver International Airport (YVR). Canada's second busiest airport, YVR served more than 19 million passengers in 2014. Fifty-three airlines serve YVR, connecting people and businesses to more than 110 non-stop destinations worldwide. YVR was voted Best Airport in North America for the sixth consecutive year, and Best Airport in the World for its size category of 10-20 million passengers, in the 2015 Skytrax World Airport Awards. Vancouver Airport Authority is a dedicated community partner and in 2014 donated more than $900,000 to local organizations. We are committed to creating an airport that British Columbia can be proud of: a premier global gateway, local economic generator and community contributor. For more information, please visit www.yvr.ca.

YVR is the industry-leading provider of self-service border control technology with BorderXpress kiosks in use at more than 20 airports across North America and the Caribbean that have processed more than 25 million passengers and counting. YVR first installed the BorderXpress APC kiosks at Vancouver International Airport in May 2013

For photos and more info, please visit www.portmetrovancouver.com.