Close X
Thursday, November 14, 2024
ADVT 
National

Port of Vancouver up in 2021 despite challenges

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 24 Mar, 2022 11:46 AM
  • Port of Vancouver up in 2021 despite challenges

VANCOUVER - The Vancouver Fraser Port Authority says cargo volumes increased one per cent to 146 million tonnes last year despite the pandemic, global supply chain challenges and extreme weather in B.C. at the end of the year.

The country's largest port says record container and foreign bulk volumes helped maintain cargo volumes despite trade challenges in a year in which the cruise season was cancelled due to COVID-19.

Grain volumes declined 13 per cent after eight straight record years due to drought in Western Canada in the second half of the year.

The number of shipping containers passing through the port increased six per cent to 3.7 million TEUs (twenty-foot equivalent units) in 2021, a record for the fifth year in a row.

Amid the increase in container trade were an elevated number of empty containers, putting pressure on Canadian exporters as containers were rushed back to Asia to accommodate strong consumer demand in North America.

The port is warning that serious supply-chain problems will occur in a few years because west coast container terminals are expected to run out of capacity by the end of the decade.

“Vancouver’s port community met challenge after challenge in 2021 — sometimes working around the clock — to keep the port connected to national supply chains and goods flowing for Canadians,” stated Robin Silvester, president and CEO of the Vancouver Fraser Port Authority, the federal agency in charge of the Port of Vancouver.

General cargo increased 18 per cent with log volumes up 23 per cent, basic metals up 51 per cent and wood pulp down 10 per cent.

Bulk dry cargo increased one per cent with coal up 19 per cent, grain down 10 per cent, potash down 13 per cent and sulphur down 14 per cent. Bulk liquid tonnage fell 8 per cent due to a 30 per cent decrease in canola oil, a 12 per cent decrease in crude petroleum, and a 14 per cent decrease in chemicals.

MORE National ARTICLES

Annual inflation rate climbs to 5.7% in February

Annual inflation rate climbs to 5.7% in February
Statistics Canada says that excluding gasoline prices, the headline inflation rate would have been 4.7 per cent in February. Grocery store prices were up 7.4 per cent for the largest yearly increase since May 2009, pushed higher by rising fuel costs that are being passed on to consumers.

Annual inflation rate climbs to 5.7% in February

Ukraine response means 'heartbreaking' choices: PM

Ukraine response means 'heartbreaking' choices: PM
A defiant Zelenskyy, clad in his trademark olive-green military T-shirt, evoked some of the darkest memories in American history Wednesday as he urged members of the U.S. Congress to shutter the skies over his besieged country.    

Ukraine response means 'heartbreaking' choices: PM

Federal parties subject to B.C. privacy law: order

Federal parties subject to B.C. privacy law: order
The decision from the office of B.C.'s privacy commissioner asserts that federal parties are also subject to the province's privacy law when it comes to the collection, use and disclosure of the personal information of B.C. residents.

Federal parties subject to B.C. privacy law: order

Zelenskyy pleads for more help from Canada

Zelenskyy pleads for more help from Canada
"Every night is a horrible night," he said, speaking in Ukrainian, to a crowded House of Commons where almost every MP, many senators and dozens of members of the public gathered to listen.

Zelenskyy pleads for more help from Canada

Governor General meets Queen in person

Governor General meets Queen in person
The Queen wore a sapphire brooch given to her by former governor general David Johnston in 2017 to mark her 65th anniversary. The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee is being commemorated across the Commonwealth this year.

Governor General meets Queen in person

B.C., Washington to work on flooding plan

B.C., Washington to work on flooding plan
Flooding in southern B.C. and northern Washington in November displaced an estimated 500 people south of the border and about 14,000 were forced to flee their homes on the Canadian side.    

B.C., Washington to work on flooding plan