The Port of Prince Rupert continues its strong growth in volumes, handling 4,119,708 tons in the first quarter 2010, up 72.8% compared to 2,383,510 tons in the same period in 2009. The surge in traffic was driven by a 217.9 per cent jump in throughput at Ridley Terminals and an 84.3 per cent increase at the Fairview Container Terminal.

The first quarter performance follows the best year at the Port of Prince Rupert in 2009 since 1997.

Exports Lead 87.3% Growth in Fairview Terminal Traffic
Export traffic through the Fairview Container Terminal grew 108.9 per cent for the first quarter 2010, leading the terminal to post an overall 87.3 per cent increase in traffic to 76,860 TEUs, compared to 41,042 TEUs for January-March 2009. Much of the growth in containerized export cargo is due to the backhaul of Western Canada resource-based commodities to China, including northern British Columbia lumber, logs and aluminum.

"Our continued growth reflects the increasing confidence and satisfaction of our customers with the quality of service they are receiving in shipping their products through the Port of Prince Rupert," says President & CEO Don Krusel. "The increase in Canadian exports demonstrates the value of the Prince Rupert Gateway to the northwest transportation corridor, as well as validates the concerted efforts of the Asia-Pacific Gateway & Corridor Initiative partners who have been tirelessly promoting the gateway and Western Canadian commodities to Asia."

The strong export market for northern B.C. products is also generating new business and employment opportunities in the region including trucking and transloading operations.