By Leo Quigley, AJOT Port Metro Vancouver Port Metro Vancouver’s mid-year Cargo Statistics Report shows that 2010 is building momentum, with an overall tonnage increase of 20 per cent totalling 58.4 million tonnes to date. “As a significant economic generator for Metro Vancouver, the Province, and Canada, we are cautiously optimistic. Significantly improved half-year numbers are good news for all Canadians and signs of continued growth point to a return to 2008 pre global economic downturn levels possibly as soon as 2011,” Robin Silvester,President and Chief Executive Officer, Port Metro Vancouver,said in a statement,. “Importantly during a slower 2009, the Port seized the opportunity to define processes and investments to improve efficiencies and capacity, and to collaborate with customers and stakeholders. Our efforts are paying off. We are pleased to see that while cargo through the port has increased again, we have reduced our carbon footprint and improved customer service,” he said. Total foreign tonnage increased 19 per cent, to 45.5 million tonnes, with increased foreign exports to growing Asian economies leading the way. “Those results show the Asia-Pacific Gateway strategy is working for Canada’s largest port. Exports to the Asia-Pacific markets are showing growth thanks to the collaborative efforts and determination of Port Metro Vancouver, terminal operators, the trucking and rail industries, and all levels of government,” said the Hon. Stockwell Day, President of the Federal Government’s Treasury Board and Minister responsible for the Asia-Pacific Gateway. “This is a great example of how the Gateway can help boost trade between Canada and the growing economies of the Asia-Pacific region,” he said in a statement. Total domestic tonnage also increased, to 12.9 million tonnes, up from 10.7 million tonnes in 2009. Breakbulk was up 24 per cent overall, with value-added forest products the key driver behind the growth, due to increased foreign and domestic demand. Bulk was up 22 per cent resulting from growth in Asian economies and strong demand for Canadian commodities like coal and potash. Containers were up 12 per cent as a direct result of consumer spending, with demand for consumer goods increasing as the economic recovery begins to take hold. Auto volumes were up 6 percent, returning close to 2008 levels. Cruise voyage numbers experienced an anticipated decrease this year from 105 voyages in 2009, to 70 voyages to date in 2010 as cruise lines redeployed vessels in response to a difficult business climate globally and specific challenges to the economics of cruise business in Alaska. Chris Badger, COO for the port, told AJOT the first part of 2010 has been “much better than expected” with a rebound in intermodal, automotive, coal and breakbulk. The port is also making progress on reducing dwell times at Deltaport, which have been a concern, particularly in moving import containers. Through recent agreementa the port now has established benchmarks and level of service agreements as well as a much more transparent logistics chain for all stakeholders. “When we compare ourselves with other gateways on the West Coast in some some ways we’re doing very well and in other ways there’s room for improvement,” he said. “The best example I could give is; we’re very competitive on U.S. Midwest cargo in total transit times compared to other ports on the West Coast. And, we’re obviously very competitive in transit times for Canadian goods. However, the area we want to focus on is the actual dwell time on the terminal, or dwell time in Vancouver. That’s a major focus for us moving forward” Port of Prince Rupert The port of Prince Rupert has continued its growth through the first half of the year. Being the closest Canadian port to Asia with an uncongested railway to Chicago/Memphis the port continues to attract an increasing amount of traffic. To the end of July (YTD) the port handled 196,260 TEUs compared to 122,