The Port of Vancouver has released its 2024 mid-year cargo statistics showing strong performances in container, auto, and liquid bulk sectors, leading to a record 62 million metric tonnes (MMT) of international trade, despite an overall slight decline in cargo volumes due to a 15% drop in domestic goods. Total trade volumes reached 75.5 MMT, showing less than a 1% decrease compared to the same period in 2023.

Dry bulk volumes decreased 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%. 

Here are some key statistics:

June 2024          June 2023     % of growth

Grain & specialty crops	15,839,881	16,378,547	-3.3%
Animal feed	1,383,886	769,609	79.8%
Barley (not including feed)	545,967	878,665	-37.9%
Canola	3,651,591	3,811,438	-4.2%
Other cereals	484,155	478,149	1.3%
Specialty crops	2,488,262	2,580,529	-3.6%
Wheat	7,286,020	7,860,157	-7.3%
Fertilizers	5,829.079	6,462.733	-9.8%
Potash	4,138.663	4,865.282	14.9%
Sulphur	1,681.857	1,585.899	6%

• Overall cargo volumes declined 1% to 75.5 MMT, compared to the first half of 2023
• Container quantities increased 14% to 1.8 million twenty-foot equivalent units, or TEU. Import quantities (inbound laden) increased 19% to 930,300 TEU, while export quantities (outbound laden) increased 4% to 412,100 TEU. Empty container volumes increased 12% to 426,600 TEU.
• Bulk liquid tonnage up 43% to 7.0 MMT. Petroleum product volumes increased 53% to 5.8 MMT and canola oil volumes increased 42% to 0.4 MMT.
• Auto volumes increased 14%, reaching a record of 249,043 units
• Cruise passengers increased 13% to a record 554,546, while cruise ship visits were up 1% at 135
• Bulk dry cargo decreased 6% to 47.7 MMT, including coal down 1% to 21.1 MMT, grain down 5% to 14.1 MMT and fertilizer down 10% to 5.8 MMT
• Breakbulk cargo decreased 14% to 8.0 MMT. Forest products volumes decreased by 21% to 4.7 MMT, while metals increased by 1% to 0.7 MMT

Their full statistical report can be seen here.