Compensation of trade flows in Vancouver
In the Canadian Port of Vancouver, throughput in the first six months of 2020 moved sidewards. From 1 January to 30 June 2020, cargo flows decreased by 1.1% from 72.4 to 71.7 million t compared to the same period in 2019.
Nevertheless, new mid-year records were set for bulk and containerised grain, as well as total foreign tonnage and foreign exports. Strong global demand for Canadian grain resulted in a volume of 16.3 million t for both bulk and containerised grain, an increase of 10.4%.
Total foreign tonnage and foreign exports resulted in mid-year records of 57.7 and 49.7 million t, up 1.2% and 2.1% respectively, due to strong increases in grain, petroleum, chemicals and canola oil volumes.
Yet, several sectors experienced declines - automotive was down 34.1%, breakbulk by 17.1% and containers down 7.7% from mid-year 2019 to 1.6 million teu. Robin Silvester, president and chief executive officer at the Vancouver Fraser Port Authority, underlined the resiliency of his unit. (mw)