Wood pellets helped to create a spike in cargo volume in 2020 at the port at Prince Rupert. Currently, it is Canada’s third largest port, but it expects to become No. 2 in the country within the next 10 years.
BIV reports the COVID-19 pandemic created opportunities in some sectors of the port, even among a number of challenges.
Exports of wood pellets from Pinnacle Renewable Energy’s Westview Terminal saw a 33 per cent increase.
Shaun Stevenson, the port authority’s president and CEO, said increased demand in Asia of energy and resources will likely continue to boost bulk cargo volume in 2021.
The 2020 increased volumes were led by a rise in coal, propane and wood pellets exports. Significant drops were seen in logs, machinery, steel pipe, canola and oats. Ridley Terminal saw a year-over-year increase of 26%, driven by thermal coal demand. AltaGas’ Ridley Island Propane Export Terminal marked year one of operation in May 2020, ending the year with 1,159,207 tonnes loaded onto Asia-bound vessels. Pinnacle Renewable Energy’s Westview Terminal exported 1,474,301 tonnes of wood pellets, an increase of 33% over 2019. However, factory shutdowns in Asia and locked-down North American economies caused a 19% drop in container traffic in the second quarter. However, volumes rebounded and DP World’s Fairview Container Terminal finished 6% down with 1,141,390 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) moving for the year.
Port Of Prince Rupert Delivers Another Record Year Amid Covid-19 Pandemic
The Prince Rupert Port Authority (PRPA) announced today it has set another record for annual cargo volumes. Despite unprecedented challenges brought on by the pandemic, 32.4 million tonnes of cargo moved through the Port of Prince Rupert in 2020, nine percent more than in 2019.
“In a year marred by uncertainty, the Port of Prince Rupert has facilitated increased trade in support of Canada’s economic health through the pandemic enabling over $50 billion in international trade. Thanks to the diversification of our cargoes, and the commitment and determination to maintain a safe working environment through the pandemic by our Port partners and the men and women working in the gateway industry in northern British Columbia, the Port of Prince Rupert’s operations have remained resilient,” said Shaun Stevenson, President and CEO, Prince Rupert Port Authority. “Weathering the storms triggered by the Covid-1