Lumber Volume Soars at Port Metro Vancouver

Breakbulk cargo dropped 4.4 percent in 2011 to 16 million tonnes at Canada's West Coast port in Vancouver. However, breakbulk imports rose 30 percent due to the strength in Canadian demand for foreign steel and construction materials to reach 976,000 tonnes.

Further, breakbulk lumber exports increased 105 percent, primarily due to strong demand from China. Port Metro Vancouver handled 495,000 tonnes of lumber, representing a new volume record at the port.

Auto volumes dropped 22 per cent to 298,000 tonnes in 2011, a reflection of international challenges resulting from the major disruption of manufacturing in Japan due to the earthquake and tsunami in March. By the fourth quarter, volumes were rebounding and the port anticipates a stronger 2012, Robin Silvester, Port Metro's CEO, said in a statement.

Total foreign tonnage increased 2.5 percent with 95.6 million tonnes. Total domestic tonnage increased by 7 percent to 26.9 million tonnes. The port handled 122.5 million tonnes of cargo in 2011, a 3.4 per cent increase over 2010.

Photo shows lumber at Port Metro Vancouver, courtesy of the port.