The Prince Rupert Port Authority (PRPA) has just released their annual cargo figures revealing that 23.5 million tonnes of cargo moved through the Port of Prince Rupert in 2023, five percent less than overall volumes in 2022.

This marks a third consecutive year of volume decline and reflects the challenges of shifting global shipping routes, soft demand for imports, and competition with other North American trade gateways for discretionary cargo. However, despite the decline in volumes, significant milestones were reached in 2023 that support the evolution of the trade gateway to become more competitive, resilient, and sustainable in the near and long term.

DP World Prince Rupert’s Fairview Container Terminal saw a 32 percent decrease in volumes in 2023. This significant drop is due to a broader decline in North American intermodal imports and strong competition on Transpacific trade routes. Terminal performance was also impacted by labour action that halted operations for 13 days in Q3.

Demand for western Canadian energy products was strong in 2023, with AltaGas’ Ridley Island Propane Export Terminal shipping nearly 2 million tonnes, a 13 percent increase over 2022. Pembina’s Watson Island LPG Bulk Terminal entered its third year of operations, handling close to 494,000 tonnes, an eight percent decrease year-over-year. Drax’s Westview Wood Pellet Terminal shipped 1.3 million tonnes to markets in Europe and Asia.

Trigon Pacific Terminals also saw a strong year, moving 8.8 million tonnes of dry bulk product through its terminal, including 5.4 million tonnes of metallurgical coal. Shipments of that product saw a 51 percent jump over 2022.

A strong harvest year contributed to Prince Rupert Grain Terminal shipping 3,595.044 tonnes of Western Canadian agricultural products, an 11 percent rise over the 3,226,356 tonnes shipped in 2022.