International cargo exports remained steady overall at 1.5 million tonnes, similar to the same two quarters last year.  Offsetting some declines, the largest increase in exports over the two quarters was lumber, which increased 72 per cent. Imports increased by nine per cent over the same period, with growth led by lumber and steel. Automobile imports at the Port rose by seven per cent, reaching a total of 239,994 vehicles through the first two quarters.

Container traffic increased by 33 per cent compared against the first two quarters of 2004, reaching 194,354 TEUs. Import and export growth rates for container traffic were relatively equal over the period, with exports growing by 31 per cent, and imports showing 35 per cent growth.

There was a marginal decrease in ship arrivals at the end of the second quarter despite the increased throughput, with totals reaching 350, versus 359 in 2004.

On the domestic cargo front, combined inbound and outbound volumes grew to 16,262,451 tonnes, an increase of 12 per cent over the previous year. Inbound paper volumes increased 78 per cent against the same two quarters of 2004, whereas inbound pulp volumes fell 56 per cent over the same period. Outbound cargo growth was led by steel, which increased 49 per cent.

“The growth in international trade within the Fraser River Port community is tremendous,” said Captain Allen Domaas, President and CEO of the Fraser River Port Authority. “The Port’s ability to accommodate this growth rather than see ships and jobs head south to the U.S., is a direct result of the Port Authority’s dredging activities – something that could be at risk if we can’t secure sustainable public funding for channel maintenance.” The Port Authority has been lobbying the federal government to fund the annual dredging that is required to keep the Lower Fraser River at its current depth and to mitigate flood risks to the communities along its banks.

The Fraser River Port Authority oversees Canada’s second busiest port based on total cargo volume. Fraser River Port is Canada’s largest fresh water port and its largest automobile port. It encompasses 270 kilometers of shoreline along the Fraser River from Langley to its mouth in the Strait of Georgia.