By Leo Quigley, AJOTPort Metro Vancouver’s mid-year report, while showing a drop in some traffic segments and significant increases in others, indicates that Canada’s largest port has experienced a relatively balanced year so far in 2011. And, Robin Sylvester, President and CEO attributes that to the fact that the port has a diversity of goods and commodities moving through the port. In announcing the results Sylvester said: “As the year unfolds, it’s clear that our strength lies in our diversity.” He also expressed appreciation to Ottawa and port related industries that have been working to build relationships and trade with Asia. “We are pleased to see a renewed national focus on the importance of improving Canada’s trade and opportunities with rapidly growing Asian economies. Demand from Asian economies continues to be the cornerstone of the Port’s success, and will drive our business in the future,” he said. In an interview with AJOT Sylvester expanded on the importance of diversity to a port such as Metro Vancouver. Containers & Bulk “The most interesting is the container trade,” he said. “What we’re seeing is a microcosm of what you’re seeing all around North America. We have the diversity of a strong export container trade as well as an import container trade. And, to the half-year we were five percent up on last year for containers. But, this was one percent up on imports and 12 percent up on exports. “This month appears as though imports will likely dip slightly below last year’s levels, which is what a number of ports in North America are seeing. But, we’re fortunate in that we have this strong export trade, particularly specialty grains and forest products. “We’re still seeing great strength in those.” He said the port is also experiencing traffic balance in the bulk sector. Coal traffic through the port during the half-year has been very strong, even though record volumes were also moved in 2010. And, potash has had a “major rebound.” On the other hand, grain traffic has been down slightly due to crop conditions last year and sulfur traffic has been down substantially during the first part of the year together with automobile traffic due to the earthquake in Japan. “If we were just an automotive import port, we’d be having a bad year,” he said. “But, as it is, we’re having a rather good year because we have diversity.” Overall, during the first half of 2011 port exports to Asia continued to post increasing volumes in forest products, potash, and coal. Total foreign tonnage rose 1 per cent for YTD 2011 to 46.1 million tonnes while total domestic tonnage also grew 1 per cent to 12.6 million tonnes YTD 2011. 8-Year Labor Pact However, the most important event at the port took place in May of this year when ILWU workers and their employees ratified an historic eight-year collective agreement that should do much to heal a tradition of rocky labor relations at the port that have tarnished Vancouver’s reputation for reliability over the years. At the signing of the agreement Lisa Raitt, federal Minister of Labour said: “The collective agreement between BC Maritime Employers Association and International Longshore and Warehouse Union Canada is great news for both parties, but the real winners are Canadians. “With this agreement, the message is clear: Canada is open to business and can be relied upon to meet the import and export demands of the 21st century.” The previous collective agreement, covering a unit of approximately 4 500 longshoremen, including the ports of Metro Vancouver and Prince Rupert had expired March 31, 2010. In addition to reaching a new agreement with the ILWU it also ushered in a new era of openness to women working at Canada’s West Coast. At the signing ILWU Canada President Tom Dufresne said: “Making longshore workplaces more attractive as a place of employment for women is long overdue. For the first time, longshore workers will have the support they need as they raise thei