VanPort cargo reports y-y cargo stability

VANCOUVER — Port Metro Vancouver says it handled 58.7 million tonnes of cargo in the first six months of 2011, a 1 percent increase over the same period in 2010.

Port Metro Vancouver’s 2011 mid-year statistics report highlights stable performance in key sectors and follows a strong 2010 that saw new records set in key sectors.

Foreign exports to growing Asian economies continue to post increasing volumes in forest products, potash, and coal.
Total domestic tonnage also grew 1 percent to 12.6 million tones from last year.

"The Asia-Pacific Gateway is critical to Canada’s long term economic prosperity," said Ed Fast, minister of International Trade and for the Asia-Pacific Gateway. "Port Metro Vancouver is a key link that is positioning Canada to take advantage of the Asia-Pacific markets crucial to creating economic growth, jobs and prosperity for British Columbians and all Canadians."

Container traffic, specifically, continued its upward trend, increasing 5 percent to 1.2 million TEUs, while bulk was up by 1 percent.

Autos and breakbulk were down (28% and 6%, respectively), although those sectors make up less total cargo handles by the port than containers.