Vancouver: Total tonnage through Port Vancouver hit its highest level ever in 2000, according to figures released today by the Vancouver Port Authority (VPA). It was a record-setting year overall for the Port with 76.6 million tonnes handled, representing a seven per cent increase over 1999. For virtually all sectors, that translated into strong, robust growth, said Norman Stark, Vancouver Port Authority President and CEO.

Containerized trade through the port continued to climb to new heights with 1,163,178 TEUs*, a 9 per cent increase over last years outstanding numbers, said Stark. Total inbound TEUs grew 6 per cent to 543,851 TEUs. A combination of a favourable currency, strong demand for Asian goods coupled with Vancouvers status as a first port of call and new lines calling at the Port all helped to fuel growth on the import side, said Stark. Total outbound TEUs, meanwhile, climbed 11 per cent to 619,327 TEUs. Port Vancouver continues to rank first in the Pacific Northwest for the number of foreign laden TEUs**.

The successful growth in numbers speaks to this ports collective ability to achieve what it sets out to do. From containers to cruise to general and bulk cargo, Port Vancouver is on the right track to reach its goals, said David Stowe, Chairman, Vancouver Port Authority. But we cannot take success for granted in an environment where there are many ports to choose from. It is crucial we work to maintain our competitive advantage with reliable, cost-effective service and facilities.

Exports of forest products continued to make gains, increasing 6 per cent overall to 8.1 million tonnes. Wood pulp saw solid advances with an 8 per cent increase to 3.7 million tonnes, buoyed by strong demand in Asia and other regions. Lumber saw a modest gain of 5 per cent to 2.1 million tonnes, driven by stronger demand, particularly in the first half of the year.

On the liquid and dry bulk side, dry bulk volumes saw grain shipments increase 12 per cent to 13 million tonnes. Wheat skyrocketed 26 per cent to 8.5 million tonnes due to strong global demand and aggressive marketing. Canola tonnage dropped 2 per cent to 3.3 million tonnes. Coal, Port Vancouvers largest export, saw mild gains of 2 per cent to 27.6 million tonnes in 2000. Higher steel production in Asia, Europe and Latin America accounted for the increase in demand.

Port Vancouver recorded a modest increase in overall fertilizer shipments with shipments of 9.9 million tonnes, up 2 per cent from 1999. Potash exports registered a 15 per cent increase to 3.9 million tonnes while sulphur shipments grew 4 per cent to 5.4 million tonnes. Shipments of phosphate rock continued to drop from last years numbers, down 62 per cent to 276,000 tonnes with alternate sourcing from a domestic mine. Chemical volumes grew 12 per cent to 2.6 million tonnes in 2000. Shipments of petroleum products increased 7 per cent to 3.1 million tonnes with shipments of crude petroleum virtually disappearing completely due to strong domestic demand.

The Vancouver-Alaska cruise season smashed through the one-million revenue passenger mark in 2000 with 1,053,989 revenue passengers, representing an 11 per cent increase over last years 947,659 revenue passengers. Port Vancouver hosted 336 cruise vessel sailings this year, representing a 9 per cent increase over voyages in the 1999 cruise season.

Port Vancouver is Canadas largest port and trades more than $30 billion in goods with more than 90 nations.

*TEU or twenty-foot equivalent unit is an industry standard measurement of container size **Foreign laden refers to full containers shipped between a domestic port and a foreign one.

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For more information, please contact:

Anne McMullin,
Director, Corporate Communications and Public Affairs
Vancouver Port Authority
(604) 665-9069 (office)
(604) 665-9073 (fax)
(604) 218-1403 (cellular)
anne.mcmullin@portvancouver.com

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