Port Metro Vancouver`s beats expectations with boxes up 17pc

PORT METRO VANCOUVER in Canada handled 2.09 million TEU in the first 10 months of 2010, representing a year-on-year increase of 17 per cent with imports rising 16 per cent and exports up by 18 per cent.

Earlier this year, port authorities predicted a five per cent increase in container cargo in 2010, after volume declined by 14 per cent in 2009 to 2.15 million TEU.


"China continues to be our biggest trading partner, by far, followed by Japan and South Korea," said chief operating officer Chris Badger.


"We are seeing some softening, which is more visible on the incoming traffic, notably in consumer products for retail stores," he said. "The store shelves are now full waiting for the Christmas rush. Things should pick up when the Chinese New Year arrives.


"The Chinese economy remains on a strong growth path and there is brisk demand for Canadian raw materials, including lumber moving more and more in containers," he said, according to London`s Containerisation International.