Port Metro Vancouver on the Upswing

Canada’s Port Metro Vancouver released its 2014 year-end statistics, showing its second consecutive year of record-breaking cargo volumes, largely due to strong performance in the bulk and container sectors.

The port’s terminals handled 140 million tonnes of cargo in 2014, up three per cent from 2013. Import cargo rose 4.1 per cent to 29 million tonnes, and exports rose 3.3 per cent to 111 million tonnes.

Bulk volumes increased by 5.3 per cent, and container volumes by 3.1 per cent over 2013, despite reduced volumes in the month of March due to a container trucking disruption.

Auto volumes declined in 2014 largely due to a shift in vehicle production from Asia to North America, according to the port’s authority. Breakbulk volumes also fell slightly due to a decrease in log exports. Port Metro Vancouver recorded 812,095 cruise passengers throughout the 2014 season.

”I’m proud of the leading-edge environmental initiatives, community engagement and infrastructure projects we have completed this year to help balance this continued growth with our local quality of life,” said Robin Silvester, President and Chief Executive Officer, Port Metro Vancouver.

Port Metro Vancouver handles 19 per cent of the value of Canada’s total trade in goods.