Cargo volumes at the Port of Vancouver remained steady in the first half of 2024, with a slight decline of less than 1% compared to the same period in 2023. The Vancouver Fraser Port Authority’s mid-year statistics highlight robust international trade, offsetting a drop in domestic cargo volumes. The port handled 75.5 million metric tonnes (MMT) of trade between January and June, driven by strong performances in the container, auto, and liquid bulk sectors.
Record International Trade and Auto Shipments
International trade at the port saw a 3% increase to 62 MMT, bolstered by record shipments in the auto sector, with nearly 250,000 vehicles processed. The port’s auto terminal capacity grew by more than one-third, enhancing the efficiency of vehicle imports, especially from Asia. Liquid bulk volumes also reached a record high of 7.0 MMT, supported by expanded infrastructure like the Westridge terminal and the Trans Mountain pipeline.
Container Sector Recovery
The container sector showed signs of recovery, with a 14% increase in container volumes to 1.8 million twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs). Inbound container imports rose 19%, reflecting restocking efforts by retailers, while exports increased by 4%. However, uncertainty around supply chains due to natural disasters and labour disputes caused volumes to stabilize later in the spring.
Cruise and Dry Bulk Sector Performance
The port’s cruise sector set a mid-year record, with over 550,000 passengers passing through the terminal, a 13% increase from the previous year. Meanwhile, dry bulk cargo volumes fell 6% due to lower Prairie crop yields, supply chain disruptions, and declining global prices for commodities such as coal and grain.
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Source: PORT of Vancouver
