For the second year in a row, cargo volumes at Port Metro Vancouver hit record-breaking levels in 2014.
These results come in spite of a 28-day truckers’ strike in the earlier part of the year.
The year saw a record high in total tonnage handled in the bulk and container sectors. PMV’s terminals handled 140 million tonnes of cargo in the year, up 3% compared with 2013. Import cargo was up 4.1% and export cargo increased 3.3%.
“The port had another record year for cargo volumes, increasing the demands created by a growing Canadian economy and increasing international desire for Canadian trade,” said PMV president and CEO Robin Silvester.
Bulk cargo increased 5.3% over the past year, after growing 11% in 2013. This year’s growth was driven by an 18% increase in wheat exports and 31% growth in canola shipments after a “bumper crop year.”
A total of 7.4 million tonnes – up 14% – in bulk potash shipments went through the port, making 2014 a record year for this product.
In spite of a disruption caused by the port truckers’ strike, container volumes grew 3.1% over the year after increasing 4% in 2013.
Vancouver’s port saw a minimal slip in cruise passengers over the year. In 2014, 812,095 tourists passed through PMV. This is down just 300 passengers compared with 2013.
