The Vancouver Fraser Port Authority released their 2023 cargo statistics on March 23 and the numbers were in the main, encouraging. Overall cargo volumes through the Port of Vancouver for last year increased 6%, with a record 150.4 million metric tonnes (MMT) moving through the port. Notably, bulk and containerized exports, auto imports and cruise all saw growth, including near-record grain exports, while container imports decreased.

Per the VFPA’s release, “Almost as much cargo moved through the Port of Vancouver in 2023 as moved through Canada’s next five largest ports combined, while the port handled North America’s most diversified range of cargo—including bulk, containers, breakbulk and automobiles, as well as overseeing cruise.”

Bulk exports were the big winner in 2023 with an overall increase of 13% from 2022, to record a record 91.5 MMT shipped. This included significant increases in grain, sulphur, coal, and petroleum product volumes.

The nine grain terminals within the Port of Vancouver exported 14.7 MMT of wheat to 38 different countries, a 52% year-over-year increase, while canola exports increased 36% to 7.0 MMT and specialty crops grew 30% to 4.0 MMT. Canadian grain export volumes increased sharply in 2023 after a bumper crop season which was preceded by a drought-affected season.

Key Statistics from the Vancouver Fraser Port Authority:

Overall cargo was a record 150.4 MMT, up 6% compared to 2022. The previous record cargo volume moved by Port of Vancouver terminals was 147.1 MMT in 2018. In 2022, port terminals handled 141.4 MMT.

Export volumes were up 12% year-over-year at a record 102.3 MMT, including bulk exports increasing by 13% to hit a record 91.5 MMT.

Dry bulk increased 11% to 99.8 MMT—led by increases in grain (39%), sulphur (11%) and coal (7%). Potash volumes were down 11% compared to 2022, at 8.9 MMT.

Liquid bulk increased 7% to 9.8 MMT, with petroleum products growing 12% while canola oil was down 7%.

Container volumes at the Port of Vancouver decreased 12% to 3.1 million twenty-foot equivalent units, or TEU. Imports (laden inbound) decreased 13% to 1.6 million TEU, while exports (laden outbound) increased 7% to 755,000 TEU.  Empty container volumes were down 24% at 770,000 TEU.

Cruise vessel calls increased 8% to 332, with a record 1.24 million passenger visits (up 53% compared to 2022).

Breakbulk volumes decreased 7% to 18.5 MMT, with foreign breakbulk down 25% to 2.0 MMT.