Port Saint John Sees Strong 2017 Cargo Volumes

Cargo tonnage at Canada’s Port Saint John rose by more than 4 million tons in 2017, representing an increase of 15% year-over-year (YOY).

Specifically, overall cargo tonnage handled last year was 30.5 million metric tons, compared to 26.4 million tons seen in 2016.

What is more, the number of vessels calling at the port’s terminals increased to 927 in 2017 from 874 in 2016.

All cargo sectors, aside from the anticipated exception of containers, experienced significant gains in 2017, according to the port.

The port’s container volumes stood at 57,402 TEUs, compared to 90,262 TEUs reported a year earlier. As explained, the loss experienced in containerized cargo was lessened due the introduction of a new weekly container service by CMA CGM in 2017. This second global container service joined Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC) who has been calling Port Saint John on a weekly basis since 2012.

“Our significant increase in tonnage for 2017 is attributable to the success of our stakeholders in the bulk sectors (dry, liquid and breakbulk) as well as our first year of operations with DP World at the multi-purpose cargo terminals on the West Side,” Jim Quinn, President & CEO of Port Saint John, commented.

In January 2017, DP World Saint John started operating the multi-purpose container, bulk and breakbulk terminal at Saint John, enhancing the port’s capacity and productivity.

Located in New Brunswick, Port Saint John is Canada’s third largest port by tonnage and has a diverse cargo base, including dry and liquid bulk, break bulk, containers, and cruise.