Last month we reported on how East Coast Ports in the USA are working hard to welcome expected increased cargo volumes after the opening of the new Panama Canal but it seems that ports in Canada don’t have this urge. Compared to their neighbouring US ports the Canadian ports are confident they have carved out a niche for themselves and that cargo will come to them – with or without the opening of the New Panama Canal. All ports that we spoke to ended their 2012 results on a high note.
Port Metro Vancouver
· container traffic set a record with 8% growth over 2011 to 2.7 million TEU
· 124 million tonnes handled
· breakbulk reached 16.7 million tonnes
Canada’s largest and most diverse port showed continued growth in 2012 including new records in the container and bulk sectors. The year also marks the advancement of several capacity building infrastructure projects, new sustainability initiatives and extensive community engagement including participation in more than 600 community events. In 2012 Port Metro Vancouver handled 124 million tonnes of cargo, an increase of 1% over 2011. The 2012 cargo throughput volumes reflect growth in Asian economies and continuing strength in the Canadian economy. Last year, the port saw car volumes increase by 29% to 384,000 units compared to the year before. The large increase was due to the resumption of imports after the devastating earthquake and tsunami in Japan in March 2011 shut down a large part of the Japanese auto manufacturing industry. Breakbulk cargo reached 16.7 million tonnes representing an increase of 4% with more than half of continued growth supported by 8.4 million tonnes of logs (up 14%) and 1.4 million tonnes of woodpulp (up 3%). A slight decrease of 1% overall was recorded for bulk volumes (total of 83.7 million tonnes) that included a decline of dry bulk by 2% combined with an increase in liquid bulk of 9%. Although coal cargo was trending up for the year and edged above 2011 volumes to set a new record in 2012, damaged loading equipment at Canada’s largest coal export terminal in early December (see other news story) caused numbers to stall. Crude petroleum exports rose 35% by volume an increase of tanker traffic from 34 in 2011 to 50 in 2012. Container throughput continued to exceed forecasted growth and 2012 container traffic has set a record with 8% growth over 2011 to 2.7 million TEU.
Port of Montreal
· container throughput up 0.9% to reach 1.375 million TEU
· second busiest container port in Canada
· work started on CAND40 million project in the Viau and Maisonneuve sectors
The Port of Montreal, operated by the Montreal Port Authority (MPA), is the main container port on Canada’s East Coast and the country’s second busiest container port after Vancouver. Its traffic has traditionally come from Europe and the Mediterranean, but Southeast Asia and Latin America now account for about a quarter of the containers handled thanks to trans-shipment at Mediterranean and Caribbean hub ports. In 2012 the port saw a 0.9% increase in container throughput to 1.375m TEU – up from 1.362 million TEU it handled in 2011. The Port stretches 25km (15.5 miles) along the banks of the St Lawrence River. It has three international container terminals – two operated by Montreal Gateway Partnership (MGT) and one by Termont Montreal, and a smaller, domestic terminal operated by Empire Stevedoring. Together they occupy an area of approximately 90 ha. They feature 15 dockside gantry cranes with lifting capacities ranging from 30-60 tonnes, together with yard gantry cranes and other container handling equipment.
Last year, the MPA has begun the work on a CAND40 million project in the Viau and Maisonneuve sectors which will be completely redeveloped in order to provide more space for container storage. By the end of the project (March 2014), the annual capacity at Viau will reach 150,000 TEU. Additional space for another 50,000 containers will be provided in the Maisonneuve sector. A new longshoremen’s hall, a new parking area and a new maintenance garage for equipment and vehicles used by longshoremen will also be built. Once the projects are complete, the port’s annual container handling capacity will total 1.8 million TEU, an increase of 12.5% over current capacity. Parallel to this project, the MPA is conducting studies for a new container terminal at its facilities located at Contrecoeur, 30 km downstream of Montreal, on the South-shore. The MPA operates its own rail network directly on the piers. It is connected to both national railway networks (CN and CP) and a highway network. In line with its “Greener is Better” strategy, the MPA purchased in 2012 three more multi-genset locomotives for use on its rail system. These locomotives cut fossil fuel consumption by 54% and greenhouse gas emissions by 90%.
Port of Halifax
2012 highlights:
· significant milestone reached welcoming over three million cruise passengers
· first port in Atlantic Canada to implement shore power for cruise ships
· first port in Canada to sign an MOU with the Panama Canal Authority.
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In 2012, the Port of Halifax marked a significant milestone, welcoming over three million passengers to Halifax since cruise ships began calling there three decades ago. “We want to thank everyone for continuing to make visiting our city such a wonderful experience for cruise passengers,” said Cathy McGrail, Manager of Cruise Development, Halifax Port Authority. “The unique attractions and welcoming community make Halifax a truly memorable port of call.” Each year, the Halifax cruise industry contributes approximately CAND50 million in direct spin-off expenditures for the local economy. The 2013 cruise season will begin in May. But it was not only cruise ships the port welcomed – the Port of Halifax also announced that it would be the first port in Atlantic Canada to implement shore power for cruise ships, beginning with the 2014 cruise season. The initiative represents a CAND10 million cooperative initiative among the Government of Canada, the Province of Nova Scotia and the Port of Halifax. Transport Canada will contribute up to CAND5 million to the project while the Province of Nova Scotia and the Port of Halifax will each contribute an additional CAND2.5 million. “The cruise industry is an important part of our local economy, generating an estimated CAND50 million per year in economic impact,” said Karen Oldfield, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Halifax Port Authority, whom contract was renewed in December for another five years effective January 1st, 2013.
Once installed, shore power at the Port of Halifax will have immediate benefits by decreasing cruise ship idling by 7%, and will contribute to improved air quality and human health. This percentage is expected to increase over time as more ships equipped for shore power use the facilities. The 7% reduction represents an annual decrease of approximately 123,000 litres of fuel and 370,000kg of greenhouse gas and air pollutant emissions. Halifax is one of the largest natural harbours in the world and has the deepest berths on the Eastern Seaboard of North America. Back in September 2012, the Halifax Port Authority also signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Panama Canal Authority – the first port in Canada to sign an MOU with the Panama Canal Authority. The purpose of the Memorandum of Understanding is to identify business opportunities, increase awareness of the ports, exchange information, and undertake joint marketing initiatives.
“Asian cargo is growing over the Port of Halifax and with the Panama Canal expansion nearing completion, large ships will soon have another route option available to and from North America and the Port of Halifax,” said Oldfield. “With Halifax’s transit time advantages for our Asian target markets, it makes sense for us to establish a strategic partnership with the Panama Canal Authority and this MOU will be mutually beneficial for both ports. “The Memorandum of Understanding with the Halifax Port Authority reinforces the importance of the ‘All-Water Route’ through the Panama Canal,” said Panama Canal Authority (ACP) Administrator Jorge Quijano. “With the current economic climate, it has never been more important to provide optimal customer service, and this agreement will enable us to fully cooperate and work together for continued trade between Asia and the East Coast of Canada.”
Port of Quebec
· No 1 St Lawrence River port in 2012
· 32.5 million tonnes of goods handled
· QPA and its terminal operator partners invested nearly CAND53 million
“In 2012, the Port of Quebec beat records for the amount of merchandise handled and number of cruises. In this regard, the Port of Québec was clearly the No 1 St Lawrence River port in 2012,” said Mario Girard, President and CEO of the Quebec Port Authority (QPA), as he released a review of the results from the port’s different activities in 2012.
The QPA logged a record 32.5 million tonnes of goods handled in 2012, which represents a 12.5% increase in tonnage from the previous year. This performance makes the Port of Québec the leading port on the St Lawrence River, in terms of tonnage handled, for a second year in a row. “I would like to highlight the hard work and professionalism of all the terminal operators behind the commercial success of the Port of Québec. They were a great help in increasing the port’s profile in national and international markets. The Port of Québec is now more than ever a strategic port for continental trade,” said Girard.
As for international cruises, the Port of Quebec broke a new record with 162,000 visitors in 2012. This was an 18% increase compared to 2010, the previous record year. The next few years are also very promising, since embarkation/disembarkation operations will be on the upswing at the port. As announced in January 2012, the QPA and its terminal operator partners invested nearly CAND53 million over the course of 2012 in different projects aiming to improve the efficiency of equipment and infrastructure. “We delivered on the announcement made at the start of 2012 for these projects. In addition, I would like to point out once again that these were private investments, meaning new money was invested in the area,” concluded Girard.
Port of Hamilton
2012 highlights:
· Total cargo handled reached 10.3 million tonnes – up 3%
· Expanding capacity in agriculture sector driving growth
· Finished steel and iron ore were areas of strength
Cargo tonnages through the Port of Hamilton grew in 2012, while the types of cargo handled continued to diversify. The port of Hamilton’s expanding capacity in the agricultural sector is driving tonnage growth in fertilizer (up 27% over 2011), and grain (up 6%). It was a great year for Ontario soybeans, with almost a million tonnes being shipped out, most of it to overseas export markets. Agricultural tonnage as a proportion of the port’s total has doubled in the last five years, from 8% in 2008 to 16% in 2012. According to Hamilton’s Economic Development office, the agri-food sector is now a CAND1.3 billion per-year industry in Hamilton as a whole. The port and its partners are major drivers of this activity.
The port also handled a variety of interesting project cargo in 2012, with volumes increasing three-fold over 2011. Major shipments included windmill components, power plant process towers, rail cars and nuclear plant rotors. “The Port of Hamilton is well-positioned to move heavy cargo due to its strategic location on the Great Lakes, in close proximity to manufacturing and population centres in Canada and the US, and access to global destinations,” said Bruce Wood, Hamilton Port Authority President & CEO. Finished steel and iron ore were areas of strength as well, posting significant gains over 2011. Total cargo handled through the port was 10.3 million metric tonnes in 20
12, an increase of 3% over 2011.