Prince Rupert, B.C.-The first quarter of 2009 produced mixed results for the Port of Prince Rupert. Overall tonnage throughput at the Port of Prince Rupert was down 24.5 percent for the first quarter 2009 compared to the first quarter 2008, from 3.07 million to 2.3 million tonnes.

 

The main contributor to the decline was coal shipments through Ridley Terminals which handled 639,765 tonnes from January to March 2009, a decline of 61 per cent compared to the 1.59 million tonne throughput in 2008.  Ridley Terminal has been heavily impacted by the curtailment of coal production by its major customers in northern British Columbia. Wood pellet and petroleum coke shipments were also down, while coking coal was up nearly 42 per cent.

 

All other traffic sectors at the Port of Prince Rupert showed positive performance levels when compared to the same period last year. Container tonnage throughput nearly doubled, chemicals increased 84 per cent, while grain and log shipments held their own. 

 

The Fairview Container Terminal handled 41,043 TEUs (20-foot equivalent units) in the first three months of 2009, nearly double the 21,040 TEUs in the first quarter 2008.  

 

"We need to keep in mind that the Fairview Terminal only commenced operations on November 1, 2007 and the first quarter of 2008 was part of the ramping up period," notes Prince Rupert Port Authority President & CEO Don Krusel. "However, we are very pleased with the container terminal's performance and volumes during this severe global economic downturn. We feel this reflects our customers' continued satisfaction with the speed, reliability and cost effectiveness they are experiencing in moving their cargo through Prince Rupert."

 

During the first quarter, all import containers were fully loaded, while 32.5 per cent of outbound containers destined for Asia were fully laden.
 

Led by a 26 per cent increase in wheat shipments, Prince Rupert Grain matched its first quarter 2008 throughput, moving nearly 1.27 million tonnes of product through the terminal. Shipments of barley and canola were down by 316,791 tonnes for the first three months of 2009.