Prince Rupert grain handling increases 35 percent

01/28/2010

PRINCE RUPERT, BRITISH COLUMBIA, CANADA — The Port of Prince Rupert announced on Jan. 25 that its total cargo handling in 2009 increased 15 percent over 2008, including a 45.9 percent increase in container traffic and a 35 percent increase in grain handling.

The port's primary liner company, China Ocean Shipping Container and its alliance partners, added a second trans-Pacific service, boosting Prince Rupert's container volume despite the global trade recession.

In addition to the container business, Prince Rupert reported an increase in grain shipments of 35.1 percent over 2008 to 5,080,834 tons, and a 14.2 percent decline in coal.

Total wheat handled increased 55.8 percent to 4,638,011 tons, while all other grains handled decreased. Barley decreased 61.3 percent to 171,825 tons, and canola decreased 20.6 percent to 256,688 tons. Grain pellets declined 10.7 percent to 13,313 tons, and grain pellets slip to zero from just under a 1,000 tons last year.

The port in 2010 looks for continued growth in container volume, progress in the second phase of the Fairview Container Terminal expansion project and development of the Ridley Industrial Park.


Source: World-Grain.com and Journal of Commerce, January 26, 2010