Import, export traffic through Port of Vancouver grew in 2004

Canada’s import and export trade through the Port of Vancouver grew 11 % to 73.9 million tonnes in 2004, with shipments of sulphur, potash and containers reaching record levels.

The port’s 2004 performance is a key indicator for Western Canada’s booming resource-based economy, which is being driven by surging demand from China and other Asian economies, said port officials.

“The port is now a crucial component of a growing Canadian economy as North American trade with Asia drives growth at the Port for the foreseeable future,” said Captain Gordon Houston, President and Chief Executive Officer, Vancouver Port Authority.

Houston said the VPA has plans in place to expand its capacity to capture that growth for the benefit of Canadian industries and workers.

"With similar investments in infrastructure from our partners in Canada’s road and rail systems, we will be able to continue to strengthen the economy and add more than 50,000 Canadian jobs.”

The Port of Vancouver continues to see record increases in cargo in 2004 with new records in the shipment of potash, sulphur and containers. Potash increased 28 per cent to 5.9 million tonnes.

Sulphur increased 16 per cent with 6.2 million tonnes shipped. Containers increased 8 per cent to 1.66 million TEUs (Twenty-foot equivalent units).

Total cargo tonnage, meanwhile, increased 11 per cent to 73.9 million tonnes.

Major grain volumes increased 27 per cent to 8.5 million tonnes. Lumber shipments saw impressive gains with a 22 per cent increase to 2.3 million tonnes.

Total dry bulk shipments rose 12 per cent to 49.2 million tonnes. Coal, the single largest commodity shipped through the Port, continued to stage a comeback with 24.7 million tonnes shipped, an increase of 2 per cent.

“This trend is expected to continue as we anticipate growth across all sectors with a projected tripling of container volumes by 2020. But these benefits can only occur with cooperation on transportation improvements. Governments also need to invest in transportation to enhance the competitive position of Canadian business, retain and attract customers and the jobs, taxes and benefits that transportation produces. We remain very supportive of any efforts by provincial and federal transportation stakeholders to address transportation issues," said Houston.