Vancouver throughput rises 5pc to 1.09 million TEU

Canada's Port of Vancouver has announced that overall cargo tonnage has grown to a new record high in the first half of the year, with all business sectors posting gains, with the exception of breakbulk tonnage.

In June, Vancouver handled its highest ever volume of cargo in a one-month period, with overall tonnage of 7.8 million. "June represents a landmark month for the Port of Vancouver and underscores a continuing growth trend for the gateway, led by Canadian bulk exports," said VPA vice president Chris Badger.

Tonnage increased 4.5 per cent to a record 39.9 million tonnes with bulk cargos like potash surging 136 per cent to more than three million tonnes, and lumber 24 per cent to 1.4 million tonnes.

Container traffic increased five per cent with first half volumes reaching 1,086,640 TEU up from 1,035,189 year on year. Stronger than anticipated outbound laden container traffic is said to be contributing to a very positive outlook for the year overall.

Grain traffic at the port decreased overall as some wheat exports were diverted through the Port of Prince Rupert, while a share of canola business to Mexico was shipped over land by rail rather than by sea. Volumes of specialty grains and other cereals increased by six per cent and 64 per cent respectively, with increasing demand for Canadian product from Asia and the Indian Sub-continent.

Breakbulk cargo was down slightly in response to an increasing shift of breakbulk volumes to containers and a reduction in steel imports, as well as the decline in woodpulp exports.