PORTS in British Columbia saw Asian import volumes rise 15.2 per cent in November to one million TEU, compared to 2014, and year-to-date traffic increased 17.5 per cent.
By way of comparison, container traffic flowing from Asia to North America's west coast in November grew 6.6 per cent year on year, one point behind growth in container traffic from Asia to the continent's east coast.
The BC port of Prince Rupert, in particular, has emerged as a winner in the increased container traffic flow.
According to data compiled by Drewry Maritime Research, Prince Rupert is the west coast port that "continues to draw the cargo with global imports climbing almost seven per cent in November, and by almost one quarter on a year-to-date basis".
The London-based shipping consultancy attributed Prince Rupert's success to the diversion of cargo from US west coast ports, the decision by 2M partners Maersk Line and MSC to add Prince Rupert to their New Orient service that began in September, and Canadian National Railway "offering direct connections to Chicago, Memphis and New Orleans".
DP World, the Dubai-based company that owns Prince Rupert's Fairview and Vancouver's Centerm container terminals, announced plans in December to study further expansion of Fairview to raise its annual container handling capacity to two million TEU, reported Business Vancouver.
In Port Metro Vancouver, GCT Canada, which operates the port's Vanterm and Deltaport box terminals, launched a C$280 million (US$194.8 million) project in November to expand its Deltaport intermodal yard to boost its annual capacity to 1.9 million TEU. It has also just ordered 12 gantry cranes from Konecranes to improve container-handling efficiency at Deltaport.
PORTS
17 January 2016 - 21:57
British Columbia box ports achieve 15.2pc growth in November's Asian imports
PORTS in British Columbia saw Asian import volumes rise 15.2 per cent in November to one million TEU, compared to 2014, and year-to-date traffic increased 17.5 per cent.
PORTS
17 January 2016 - 21:57
British Columbia box ports achieve 15.2pc growth in November's Asian imports
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