Metro Vancouver, Canada's largest and most diverse port, has released its 2011 year end results, with strong, stable numbers showing continued growth in key sectors. The 2011 year end statistics report shows that Port Metro Vancouver handled 122.5 million tonnes of cargo, up by 3.4% YoY. The 2011 throughput volumes reflect the strength of Port Metro Vancouver's diversity, moving goods and passengers across five business sectors, and building further on several records set in 2010.
The Port saw continued growth in laden export containers, a key indicator of the demand for Canadian cargo by Asian economies. Canada's natural resources volumes continue to show strong growth, with new records set in coal, potash and forest products exports.
Mr Robin Silvester president & CEO of Port Metro Vancouver said that "What we have seen in 2011 is resiliency in the Canadian export market; and as international economies continue to face many difficult challenges, Canada's natural resources sectors stand as a cornerstone of the Canadian economy. Our natural geographical advantage as the closest major Gateway to Asia Pacific economies presents continuing opportunities for growth in the coming years."
Total foreign tonnage at Port Metro Vancouver posted a 2.5% YoY increase with 95.6 million tonnes.
Mr Ed Fast, Minister of International Trade, and Minister for the Asia-Pacific Gateway, said that "Port Metro Vancouver's strong growth in moving exports to priority markets in the Asian Pacific region demonstrates clearly how the Federal Government's strategic investments and partnerships in building the Asia Pacific Gateway continue to help strengthen our economy by positioning Canada as the gateway of choice between Asia and North America. With one in five Canadian jobs generated by trade, deepening Canada’s trade and investment ties in priority markets around the world is a key part of our plan to create jobs and prosperity for Canadian workers, businesses and families."
Total domestic tonnage increased by 7% to 26.9 million tonnes.
Mr Blair Lekstrom, transportation and infrastructure minister, said that "I would like to congratulate Port Metro Vancouver for its continued growth and success. PMV is a vital part of Canada Starts Here: The BC Jobs Plan. PMV is a key player in getting BC and Canadian goods to market through Canada's Pacific Gateway, the preferred gateway for business to and from Asia and North America."
Port Metro Vancouver trades USD 75 billion in goods annually with more than 160 trading economies, generating across Canada an estimated 129,500 jobs, USD 6.1 billion in wages and USD 10.5 billion in GDP.
