Cargo volumes at the Port of Vancouver were steady in the first half of 2024, decreasing less than 1% compared to the same period a year ago, as record international trade was offset by lower volumes of domestic goods. 

The Vancouver Fraser Port Authority’s 2024 mid-year statistics show port operators and supply chain partners moved 75.5 million metric tonnes (MMT) of trade between January 1 and June 30, 2024—led by strong performances in the container, auto and liquid bulk sectors. 

“Our focus is on working with port operators, and partners and government to ensure a strong, reliable and innovative Pacific gateway to enable both Canada’s trade and our communities to prosper,” said Peter Xotta, President and CEO of the Vancouver Fraser Port Authority, the federal agency that enables Canadian trade through the Port of Vancouver while protecting the environment. 

“I want to acknowledge the work of Port of Vancouver terminals and supply chain partners for ensuring trade continues to move efficiently and reliably within a challenging environment that includes rising impacts from climate change, increasing global geopolitical tensions, and local issues such as wildfires and labour disputes.” 

While it was a record half-year for international trade (foreign traffic) through the port—up 3% to 62 MMT—overall cargo volumes handled by the port dipped slightly due to a 15% drop in domestic cargo, in particular volumes of forestry products, sand and gravel. 

The liquid bulk and auto sectors led the way—both handling record volumes as upgraded facilities helped boost throughput and pandemic supply chain disruptions resolved: 

• A record of almost 250,000 vehicles were handled by the port’s auto terminals, which includes the Annacis Auto Terminal where an optimization project has helped increase capacity by more than one-third. Nearly 100% of Canada’s Asian-manufactured vehicle imports come through the Port of Vancouver. 
• A record 7.0 MMT was moved by the port’s liquid bulk terminals, as the expanded Westridge terminal and Trans Mountain pipeline came into operation in May. Liquid bulk includes canola oil and petroleum products, with volumes expected to continue to grow with construction underway on DP World’s new canola oil export facility in Surrey and Trans Mountain continuing to ramp up its operations.

Strong container recovery 

Container volumes at the port largely recovered and stabilized in the first half of 2024, following several tumultuous years that included a pandemic-era surge in consumer demand and numerous supply chain disruptions. Container cargo to end June amounted to 1.77 million TEUs, a 13.8% growth from a year-earlier.

Imports (laden inbound) grew 19%, as retailers restocked their inventories early in anticipation of potential labour disputes and some volumes appeared to shift from the east coast due to disruptions to the Red Sea trade route, while exports (laden outbound) grew 4% with Canadian businesses increasingly turning to containers to ship their goods to markets across the globe. 

“We’re pleased to see the container sector bounce back from the correction experienced in 2023, with containerized imports returning to pre-pandemic 2019 growth trends and containerized exports continuing to recover,” said Mr. Xotta. “However despite an incredibly strong start to the year, we did see container volumes level off in late spring due to uncertainty around Canada’s supply chains following natural disasters and ongoing labour disputes. Canada’s wealth is built on trade—and we all benefit from working together to ensure our supply chains and reputation are strong, and our country is recognized as a reliable trading partner.” 

Dry bulk volumes declined 6% in the first six months of 2024 compared to the same period last year, as last year’s record Canadian commodity export volumes eased due to lower Prairie crop yields, supply chain disruptions and lower global prices. This included grain decreasing 5%, coal decreasing 1% and fertilizer decreasing 10%.  

Breakbulk volumes were also down, as an increase in metal imports (up 4% to 0.6 MMT) was offset by a decline in the volume of forestry products handled, including logs and wood pulp (down 21% to 4.7 MMT). 

It was a record mid-year performance for cruise, with 554,546 passengers passing through the Canada Place cruise terminal between March and June 30. This was up 13% on the previous mid-year record of 490,119, set last year. 

(Photo of Port of Vancouver)