Port activity slowed in 2001

Avatar photo

OTTAWA, Ont. — According to the latest news released from Statistics Canada, economic activity at Canada’s ports fell slightly during the first six months of 2001.

Canada’s ports handled 179.2 million metric tonnes of cargo between January and June last year, down 2.5 per cent from the same period in 2000.

Shipments fell in six of the nation’s 12 major ports, including the busiest, Vancouver, which accounted for 21 per cent of all shipping in Canada. Vancouver handled 37.5 million tonnes of cargo, down 3.8 per cent.

The biggest decline was recorded by Port-Cartier, where shipments fell 54.8 per cent to 3.8 million tonnes, as a result of a sharp decrease in loadings of iron ore.

The picture was brighter for Atlantic ports. Saint John reported a 28.1 per cent increase in shipments to almost 12.1 million tonnes, while Port Hawkesbury had a 48.7 per cent increase to 11.6 million tonnes.

Gains in inbound foreign cargo were more than offset by an 8.4 per cent decline in outbound shipments to foreign ports, which fell to 83.3 million tonnes. Particularly hard hit were loadings of iron ore, which declined 28.4 per cent. Coal shipments to other countries declined 7.2 per cent, while wheat shipments were down 20.2 per cent.

Ports at Vancouver and Prince Rupert were particularly hard hit by the declines in outbound coal and wheat shipments.

Canada’s top 20 ports by tonnage handled were:
1. Vancouver — 37,521 tonnes
2. Saint John — 12,078 tonnes
3. Port Hawkesbury — 11,577 tonnes
4. Sept-iles/Pte-Noire — 9,346 tonnes
5. Montreal/Contrecoeur — 8,990 tonnes
6. Come-By-Chance — 8,341 tonnes
7. Quebec/Levis — 6,852 tonnes
8. Halifax — 6,783 tonnes
9. Nanticoke — 5,998 tonnes
10. Fraser River — 5,389 tonnes
11. Port-Cartier — 3,774 tonnes
12. Hamilton — 3,667 tonnes
13. Newfoundland Offshore — 3,538 tonnes
14. Thunder Bay — 3,168 tonnes
15. Prince Rupert — 3,046 tonnes
16. Howe Sound — 2,550 tonnes
17. Sorel — 2,212 tonnes
18. Windsor — 2,003 tonnes
19. Sault Ste.Marie — 1,663 tonnes
20. North Arm Fraser River — 1,637 tonnes

Avatar photo

Truck News is Canada's leading trucking newspaper - news and information for trucking companies, owner/operators, truck drivers and logistics professionals working in the Canadian trucking industry.


Have your say


This is a moderated forum. Comments will no longer be published unless they are accompanied by a first and last name and a verifiable email address. (Today's Trucking will not publish or share the email address.) Profane language and content deemed to be libelous, racist, or threatening in nature will not be published under any circumstances.

*