Vancouver: Total cargo through Port Vancouver dipped 3 per cent to 38.4 million tonnes during the first six months of the year, according to figures released today by the Vancouver Port Authority (VPA).



Total container traffic decreased 6 per cent to 557,923 TEUs (Twenty-foot Equivalent Units). Full import container traffic grew a healthy 6 per cent to 236,047 TEUs. Strong domestic demand for Asian commodities continued to fuel the increases in full inbound container traffic. With new first port of call services and high productivity, Port Vancouver continues to make progress on its vision as the port of choice on the west coast of North America, said David Stowe, Chairman, Vancouver Port Authority. Full export traffic, meanwhile, saw a decrease of 7 per cent to 269,502 TEUs with weak Asian demand accounting for the decline.



The Vancouver-Alaska cruise remains steady at mid-year as the industry prepares itself for growth in the coming years, said Captain Gordon Houston, President and Chief Executive Officer, Vancouver Port Authority. The total number of revenue passengers stood even compared to the same period last year with 392,921 revenue passengers. Total voyages decreased 6 per cent to 122 sailings, reflecting the added capacity of this years newer ships. With newly renovated facilities at Canada Place this year and a third berth slated for 2003, the Vancouver-Alaska cruise is poised for good growth and a bright future. Together, new ships, high berth occupancy and the expansion of three to four-day pocket cruises continue to prove why Port Vancouver is home-port, said Houston.




Total forest products shipments declined 16 per cent to 3.6 million tonnes due to weak Asian demand. Shipments of lumber declined 13 per cent to 900,000 tonnes while wood pulp saw a 16 per cent decline to 1.7 million tonnes.



On the dry bulk side, total dry bulk shipments were down slightly by 1 per cent to 28.5 million tonnes. Shipments of coal, Port Vancouvers single largest commodity, grew 5 per cent to 15 million tonnes. Firm markets coupled with efforts by the coal industry to diversify selling to Europe and South America have contributed to the increase, said Houston. Total shipments of grain were off 13 per cent with 5.6 million shipped. Wheat saw a decline of 34 per cent compared to last years record numbers with 3 million tonnes.



Liquid bulk gained 8 per cent with 3.1 million tonnes shipped. Petroleum shipments saw a gain of 26 per cent with 1.8 million tonnes shipped. However, total chemical volumes were off 12 per cent with 1.1 million tonnes shipped.



Port Vancouver is Canadas largest and most diversified port, trading more than $30 billion in goods with more than 90 nations. In 2000, a record 76.6 million tonnes of cargo were shipped through Port Vancouver.



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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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