2009 sees growth in grain and liquid bulk but overall throughput declines
"At the end of a challenging and turbulent year, we're pleased to see gains in some principal Canadian exports, such as grain, specialty crops and crude petroleum," said
The Port's overall volume of 101.9 million metric tonnes was down 11 per cent compared to 2008. Despite overall tonnage declines, some positive trends emerged in 2009. Total foreign exports were flat on the year, though Asia, led by
On another positive note, volume decreases experienced during the first half of 2009 inched toward recovery in the third and fourth quarters, foreshadowing possible gains for 2010.
Overall container volume for Port Metro
Coal exports finished the year down six per cent, at 24.3 million metric tonnes, accounting for nearly one quarter of total port tonnage. Consistent growth in exports to
Grain, specialty crops and feed volumes increased 33 per cent and set a throughput record for grains at 18.1 million tonnes. These record volumes resulted from high carryover from a very good 2008 harvest, a larger than expected 2009 harvest, and very strong demand in Asia,
Demand also remained strong for crude petroleum, which recorded a 77 per cent surge over 2008, as oil sand activity continued to direct outbound crude shipments through the Port to northern U.S. refineries. Gasoline, derived from the crude petroleum refining process, also experienced a five per cent boost over 2008 volumes.
Cruise passenger volumes increased five per cent in 2009 to 898,473 revenue passengers over 256 voyages through Port Metro
Reflective of a declining trend in the North American market for automobiles, vehicles shipped through Port Metro
Potash volumes declined 65 per cent, following a record year in 2008. Low global demand, exacerbated by high prices, led to production curtailments and exceptionally low potash export volumes in 2009.
Sulphur volumes fell off 14 per cent as low demand in the first half of the year and declining supply from accessible sources affected volumes.
Forest products volumes dropped 21 per cent, primarily due to the severe downturn in the forest industry affecting domestic volumes. Foreign forest product volumes increased by one per cent, driven by strong demand from
The decline in BC's industrial activity in 2009, particularly in the forestry and construction industries, produced a sharp negative impact on the Port's overall domestic volumes.
Domestic sand and gravel volumes declined 35 per cent due to reduced construction activity in the Metro
Domestic shipments of logs were down 42 per cent, paper and paperboard down 19 per cent, woodchips down 18 per cent, and caustic soda down 43 per cent.
Domestic moves of consumer and related goods also declined 12 per cent, from 4.6 million tonnes to 4.1 million tonnes, reflecting the decrease in consumer spending that also contributed to the reduction in import containers.
Port Metro
Access Port Metro Vancouver's complete 2009 statistics at www.portmetrovancouver.com/about/factsandstats.aspx
Backgrounder: ------------- Port Metro Vancouver's 2009 statistics at a glance ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Port Metro Vancouver: 2009 Year End Statistics (in metric tonnes except as noted) ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Cargo Totals 2009 2008 Change (%) ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Total Tonnage 101,889,808 114,561,990 -11.1% ------------------------------------------------------------------------- CARGO TYPE ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Autos (in units) 387,230 456,442 -15.2% ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Break bulk 14,550,913 20,313,638 -28.4% ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Bulk - Dry 56,780,220 63,359,622 -10.4% ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Bulk - Liquid 10,892,266 9,973,784 9.2% ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Containerized 19,279,179 20,458,504 -5.8% ------------------------------------------------------------------------- COMMODITY HIGHLIGHTS ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Chemicals, Metals and Minerals 10,916,267 15,345,526 -28.9% ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Coal 24,257,376 25,930,257 -6.5% ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Forest Products 19,927,188 25,184,850 -20.9% ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Grain, Specialty Crops, Feed 18,055,571 13,593,321 32.8% ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Petroleum Products 8,380,148 7,274,857 15.2% ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Potash 2,273,540 6,451,208 -64.8% ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Sulphur 4,101,459 4,757,844 -13.8% ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Containerized Statistics by TEU (twenty-foot-equivalent unit) ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Total Container TEU 2,152,462 2,492,107 -13.6% ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Total Laden TEU 1,932,715 2,153,816 -10.3% ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Import Laden TEU 1,007,304 1,238,350 -18.7% ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Export Laden TEU 925,411 915,465 1.1% ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Cruise ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Revenue Passengers 898,473 854,493 5.1% ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Vessel Sailings (in units) 256 254 0.8% ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Foreign/Domestic Tonnage ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Foreign 78,811,066 82,249,892 -4.2% ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Domestic 23,078,743 32,312,098 -28.6% -------------------------------------------------------------------------
For further information: see attached Backgrounder or contact: Communications and Government Affairs, Tel: (604) 665-9281, Email: [email protected]
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