Port of Prince Rupert                                                Opinion 250 file photo

Prince George, B.C. –  Year after year, the Port of Prince Rupert is able to boast of record exports…and 2011 has proved no different.

The Ministry of Transporation and Infrastructure says the port beat expectations, with record exports of forest, coal and grain products to the China, Japan, and Korea.

A total of 19.3-million tonnes of cargo moved through the port altogether – an 18-percent increase over last year’s 16.4-million tonnes and the 2010 figure was up 35-percent over 2009.

The number of loaded containers heading back to the Asia-Pacific was more than double 2010 – up 59-percent – with most of the growth attributed to strong exports of BC forest products to the expanding Chinese market.  Ridley Terminals, meantime, recorded a 16-percent increase in volumes in 2011 over 2010, largely due to increased coal exports from northeastern BC and western Canada.

Port Authority CEO Don Krusel says, "We are ecstatic about continued growth at the Port of Prince Rupert, and we credit the efficient and committed workforce as a key driver of success."

Krusel says, "It also stems from the support of citizens, companies, and cities along the entire trade corridor."