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Vancouver, B.C. Overall tonnage through the Port of Vancouver showed moderate growth at the end of the first half of the year with an increase of four per cent to 38.2 million tonnes, up from 36.6 million tonnes last year. The Port of Vancouver's mid-year statistics include:
- Total container shipments increased five per cent from 809,453 TEUs to a new record 853,238 TEUs. Full-containerized import volumes grew eight per cent to 404,450 TEUs as demand for Asian goods continues. Full-containerized export volumes dropped slightly by one per cent to 347,762 TEUs. An all-time record for monthly container shipments of 153,828 TEUs was seen in May. The recent trucking dispute is expected to impact container volumes in the third quarter of 2005.
- Total dry bulk shipments increased five per cent to 25.5 million tonnes. This rise is driven by an overall stronger global economy that supports higher demand for dry bulk commodities such as potash, sulphur, coal and wheat.
- Grain shipments rose five per cent to 4.3 million tonnes, with wheat rising 12 per cent to 2.8 million tonnes and canola remaining unchanged at 1.2 million tonnes. Better grain crops and an increased demand for grains and feed are the primary reasons for the rise.
- Potash increased six per cent to 3.3 million tonnes largely due to a broad-based increase in demand for this better quality fertilizer that is used to grow grain and other crops.
- Coal shipments rose five per cent to 12.8 million tonnes. This increase is in response to a greater world demand for steel and greater industrial activity. Metallurgical coal, a majority of the ports coal exports, is used to manufacture steel.
- Sulphur shipments remained relatively stable, decreasing two per cent to 3.0 million tonnes. Competition from the Middle East, increased shipping charges and rail service challenges may be attributed to this slight decline.
- Total liquid bulk shipments through the Port of Vancouver increased seven per cent to 3.8 million tonnes. This increase is largely due to a marked increase in demand for petroleum.
- Petroleum exports increased 21 per cent to 2.4 million tonnes due to greater U.S. demand for crude oil, jet fuel and diesel fuel.
- Total chemical volumes decreased four per cent to 1.3 million tonnes shipped as demand from major consumers South Korea, Japan and the U.S. declined.
- Total forest product shipments dropped six per cent to 4.0 million tonnes primarily due to a decrease in lumber and wood pulp shipments.
- Lumber shipments decreased 19 per cent to 1.0 million tonnes largely due to lower shipments to Japan.
- Wood pulp shipments dropped six per cent to 2.0 million tonnes as this commodity faces greater competition from South American exporters.
- The cruise sector experienced a slight decrease of three per cent in the number of revenue passengers due to the loss of a homeport ship. At mid-year, the number of sailings decreased to 101 from 104 sailings over the same period last year.
Summary: All figures are expressed in metric tonnes except where indicated. Mid-Year Statistics
Jan-June 2005 Totals | June end 2005 | June end 2004 | % Change | | Total Tonnage | 38,159,063 | 36,560,717 | + 4% | | Total Breakbulk | 1,556,299 | 1,696,469 | - 8% | | Total Chemicals | 1,324,438 | 1,374,445 | - 4% | | Total Containerized | 7,262,016 | 6,951,361 | + 4% | | Total Dry Bulk | 25,528,498 | 24,335,690 | + 5% | | Total Fertilizer Commodities | 6,486,310 | 6,384,978 | + 2% | | Total Forest Products | 3,962,933 | 4,205,221 | - 6% | | Total Grain | 4,292,290 | 4,090,790 | + 5% | | Total Liquid Bulk | 3,812,249 | 3,577,197 | + 7% | | Total Petroleum Products | 2,423,923 | 2,010,028 | + 21% | | Total Other Commodities | 6,825,874 | 6,308,046 | + 8% | Mid-Year Statistics
Jan-June 2005 Major Commodities | June end 2005 | June end 2004 | % Change | | Canola (Rapeseed) | 1,159,878 | 1,159,286 | 0 % | | Coal | 12,843,295 | 12,187,209 | + 5% | | Lumber & Sawn Timber | 977,745 | 1,205,030 | - 19% | | Potash | 3,337,672 | 3,144,094 | + 6% | | Sulphur | 3,073,049 | 3,150,791 | - 2% | | Wheat | 2,750,054 | 2,454,302 | + 12% | | Wood Pulp | 2,078,425 | 2,202,131 | - 6% |
Mid-Year Statistics
Jan-June 2005 Containers | June end 2005 | June end 2004 | % Change | | Total Containers TEUs (Twenty-foot Equivalent Unit) | 853,238 | 809,453 | + 5% | | Total Empty | 101,026 | 85,653 | + 18% | | Total Laden | 752,212 | 723,801 | + 4% | Mid-Year Statistics
Jan-June 2005 Cruise | June end 2005 | June end 2004 | % Change | | Total Revenue Passengers | 327,747 | 336,427 | - 3% | | Total Voyages | 101 | 104 | - 3% | The Port of Vancouver is Canada's largest and most diversified port, trading more than $43 billion in goods with more than 90 trading economies annually. Port activities generate 69,200 jobs in total with $4 billion in Gross Domestic Product and $8.9 billion in economic output. -30-
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