Port of Vancouver Mid-Year Trade Volumes Hold Steady Amid Container Trade Recovery

Image: Vancouver Fraser Port Authority.

The Port of Vancouver showed trade volumes holding steady during the first six months of 2024, reporting a dip of less than 1% from the same time a year ago, the Vancouver Fraser Port Authority revealed Oct. 1.

The British Columbia seaport processed 75.5 million metric tonnes (MMT) of trade between Jan. 1 and June 30, with strong showings from the container, auto and liquid bulk sectors, including a record of nearly 250,000 vehicles processed by the port’s auto terminals.

The mid-year numbers reflect record international trade (up 3%) offset by reduced domestic product volumes (a 15% decrease in domestic cargo, particularly forestry products, sand and gravel), according to the port.

After years of pandemic-driven consumer demand and supply chain disruptions, container volumes at the port largely stabilized in the first half of 2024, with imports growing by 19% and exports growing by 4%, according to the port.

“We’re pleased to see the container sector bounce back from the correction experienced in 2023, with containerized imports returning to pre-pandemic 2019 growth trends and containerized exports continuing to recover,” Port Authority President-CEO Peter Xotta said.

“However, despite an incredibly strong start to the year, we did see container volumes level off in late spring due to uncertainty around Canada’s supply chains following natural disasters and ongoing labor disputes,” he added.

By Karen Robes Meeks