Port of Vancouver sets records, but future uncertain

VANCOUVER (NEWS 1130) — The Port of Vancouver has seen a good year according to mid-year reports.

The facility has set a mid-season record for the number of cruise ship passengers and volume of cargo passing through. The statistics show the volume of shipping containers is up 3.5 per cent while there’s been a 15 per cent spike in people hopping on vessels at Canada Place to head up to places like Alaska. The demand for cruise ships from Vancouver continue to increase.

President and chief executive officer of the Vancouver Fraser Port Authority Robin Silvester said in a release, the success is a result of the port’s global reach and ability to accommodate a diverse range of cargo.

“While Canada is certainly not exempt from the challenges impacting global trade, the diverse range of trading partners and cargo handled through the Port of Vancouver ensures the entire port remains resilient, despite variations in any one sector or commodity,” he said.

However the port does have concerns about the future.

The release said the coast container ports will be at capacity as early as the mid-2020s unless there’s a boost in local infrastructure including road and rail projects. The Canadian economy will take the hit when the port can’t accommodate growing trade.

“Approximately $1 in $3 of Canada’s trade in goods beyond North America move through the port, with a significant portion of these goods moving in containers,” said the Port of Vancouver in a release.

Vancouver receives containers filled with electronics, food, clothing along with other consumer goods. In turn, they leave with Canadian agricultural products, local wine and craft beer, and B.C. forest products.

To deal with the growth, the Port of Vancouver has partnered with terminal operators to try and expand current operations. Even with improvements, the port will still needs more space and is pushing for an expansion of its Roberts Bank facilities in Tsawwassen.

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