Demand continues to drive growth at Port Metro Vancouver
Press Releases
August 18, 2015
Mid-year cargo statistics show 1.5 per cent growth over similar period last year
Vancouver, B.C.: Port Metro Vancouver today released its 2015 mid-year statistics, showing continued growth in trade through the Pacific Gateway.
Total cargo was 70.3 million metric tonnes, an increase of 1.5 per cent over the same period in 2014.
“We are seeing continued growth of trade through Port Metro Vancouver as Canadian demand for foreign products and international demand for Canadian resources continue to increase,” said Robin Silvester, President and Chief Executive Officer, Port Metro Vancouver. “Our status as North America’s most diversified port is significant as overall cargo grew in the first half of 2015 despite some softening markets and global economic uncertainty.”
Increases in wheat, sulphur, potash, lumber and consumer goods boosted results, while declines were registered in coal and petroleum products. Movement of breakbulk and bulk dry cargo rose 2 per cent and 1 per cent respectively.
Trade using containers showed substantial growth, with an 8 per cent jump in the number of twenty-foot-equivalent units. Continued growth in container numbers on the west coast of Canada has been projected for some time, but this higher-than-expected jump is likely due to the impact of U.S. cargo diverted to Vancouver earlier this year in response to labour unrest at U.S. west coast ports, and deflated results last year due to the 28-day Vancouver trucking dispute in March 2014.
“The port continues to grow in response to increasing consumer and international demand,” continued Silvester. “It remains critical that we continue working with government and other stakeholders to build related infrastructure and maintain the supply of available land to support trade and goods movement.”
Auto volumes rebounded in the first half of 2015, up 7 per cent, as Canadian demand for vehicles from Asia increased and North American manufacturers struggled to manage growth and shifts in the Canadian market so far this year.
Also in the first half of 2015, environmental initiatives continued to be a top priority for Port Metro Vancouver as we announced Shore power for container vessels and the winners of the Blue Circle Award which recognizes environmental stewardship of marine carriers as part of the EcoAction program. Port Metro Vancouver was also recognized as a responsible leader in sustainability for the second year in a row by Corporate Knights.
Port Metro Vancouver is Canada’s largest port, handling one fifth of the value of Canada’s total trade in goods.
About Port Metro Vancouver:
Port Metro Vancouver is Canada’s largest port and the third 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.
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For more information:
2015 mid-year Cargo Statistics Report
Photos for download
Background:
Cargo traded through Port Metro Vancouver continued to grow over the first half of 2015, posting a 1.5 per cent growth in tonnage compared to the first half of 2014.
Auto volumes climbed by 7 per cent since mid-year 2014, with 212,266 units so far in 2015. The rebounding auto numbers can be attributed to a recent general increase in Canadian automobile sales.
Breakbulk cargo of 8.38 million tonnes represents a 2 per cent increase over mid-year 2014, thanks mostly to a 12 per cent increase in wood pulp and 2 per cent increase in logs.
Bulk dry tonnage showed a 1 per cent growth. Large increases in wheat (32 per cent), sulphur (18 per cent) and potash (19 per cent) were offset by decreases in thermal coal (down 7 per cent) and canola (down 21 per cent).
Bulk liquid tonnage was down 6 per cent over this time last year, at 4.64 million tonnes. The decrease can be attributed in part to drops in petroleum products (down 5 per cent), organic chemicals (down 8 per cent), and vegetable oil (down 9 per cent).
Container units continued to increase, posting an 8 per cent growth over this time last year. Steady growth is expected in containers for the west coast of Canada over the next decade and into the 2030s. The increased growth this mid-year can be partially attributed to some diversion of containers from U.S. west coast ports earlier in the year due to a labour disruption, and lower numbers at Port Metro Vancouver in the first half of 2014 due to the 28-day trucking disruption that ended on March 28, 2014. Notably, lumber and specialty crop exports using containers are up 11 per cent and 3 per cent respectively, and import consumer products rose by 11 per cent.
The 2015 Cruise season is projected to be strong, on par with previous years, with an estimated 805,000 passengers on 228 visits by 32 vessels.
Infrastructure projects that build capacity, maximize efficiency and minimize community impacts of port operations continued. Port Metro Vancouver and partners celebrated the completion of the Low Level Road project, and the opening of the Spirit Trail in North Vancouver in March.
Foreign vessel calls were down in the first half of 2015 by 3 per cent over the same time last year, with 1,538 calls.
Environmental initiatives continued to be a top priority for Port Metro Vancouver, as we announced shore power for container vessels and the winners of the Blue Circle Award recognizing the environmental stewardship of marine carriers as part of the EcoAction program. Port Metro Vancouver was recognized as a responsible leaders in sustainability for a second year in a row by Corporate Knights. An overview of Port Metro Vancouver’s sustainability initiatives and vision can be found in the 2014 Sustainability Report.
Collaboration continued as Transport Canada, the B.C. Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure, Port Metro Vancouver, municipal partners, TransLink, the Greater Vancouver Gateway Council and other supply chain stakeholders and funding partners came together to evaluate infrastructure needs in the region to support continued gateway growth, as part of the Gateway Transportation Collaboration Forum (GTCF).
Contact:
John Parker-Jervis
Media & Government Affairs Advisor
Port Metro Vancouver
john.parker-jervis@portmetrovancouver.com
604.665.9267
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