VPA experiences record container shipments while tonnage slips

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VANCOUVER, B.C. — The Vancouver Port Authority (VPA) is continuing on a record pace this year in container shipments.

At the mid-point of the year, total containers are up 17 per cent from last year, to 650,016 Twentyfoot Equivalent Units (TEUs).

There has also been a surge in shipments of potash, which has increased by 14 per cent and wood pulp, which is up 24 per cent.

"Capacity, service and cost efficiencies are the key benefits that continue to make Vancouver the port of choice for our customers," boasts VPA president Gordon Houston.

One of the biggest areas to increase in cargo shipments are Asian-produced goods. Full imports increased by 21 per cent over the first half of 2002 while exports have seen a nine per cent rise.

"The Port of Vancouver achieved a new record in June with the highest number of containers shipped in a single month with 127,176 TEUs shipped, breaking the previous record set in April this year," says Houston.

But while container shipments are hitting new peaks, the port has experienced a slight decline in total tonnage, which is down 13 per cent. One of the largest reasons for that is a drop in coal shipments, which is the port’s largest single commodity and has dropped 18 per cent. Grain shipments have also declined by 29 per cent due to poor weather conditions across the Prairies.

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