Grain volumes lift Vancouver to mid-year record

(Posted on 29/09/21)

The Vancouver Fraser Port Authority has released the 2021 mid-year statistics for goods moving through the Port of Vancouver, Canada. From January 1 to June 30, 2021, overall cargo volumes through Canada’s largest port reached a record high of 76.4 million metric tonnes (MMT), up 7% from 2020 mid-year, and 5% above the previous record set in 2019. Sectors that experienced strong growth include grain and containers, both of which hit new records in 2021.

Strong overseas demand for Canadian grain products—a main driver of the overall record mid-year cargo volumes—resulted in record mid-year volumes of bulk grain, up 20% to 16.5 MMT compared to mid-year 2020 and up 35% from 2019. Total foreign tonnage and foreign exports resulted in 60.3 and 52.0 MMT, up 4% respectively, compared to mid-year 2020 volumes, due to strong increases in grain and coal.

Increases in wheat, up 23%, barley, up 151%, and animal feed, up 30%, contributed to this new bulk grain record. Metallurgical coal increased by 11% while thermal coal remained flat. In fertilizers, potash exports increased by 0.3% from last year and sulphur decreased by 20%.

“Record grain volumes through the Port of Vancouver once again over the first half of the year demonstrate the continued growth in the global demand for Canadian agricultural products,” said Robin Silvester, president and chief executive officer at the Vancouver Fraser Port Authority. “Over many years, we have worked with partners to support the growth of the agricultural sector, and over the last decade there has been a very significant amount of investment in the port and the surrounding gateway by grain terminals, governments, railways, port customers, and the port authority, with much of that investment directly benefitting the grain sector.”

To ensure the Port of Vancouver can meet the increasing demand for container trade, the port authority is advancing two container terminal projects at the Port of Vancouver: the Centerm Expansion Project and the Roberts Bank Terminal 2 Project.

The record overall cargo volumes at mid-year in 2021 reflect the continued growth in the agriculture and container sectors. This trend is expected to continue as the long-term outlook for Canadian trade is growing.

“We are encouraged to see the record mid-year cargo volumes through the Port of Vancouver,” added Silvester. “These cargo volumes were made possible due to the dedicated work and commitment of the port terminal operators, marine carrier customers, railways and drayage companies, labour, governments, and the many service providers that support the Port of Vancouver’s importers and exporters.”

Latest News

Antwerp-Bruges stands firm as geopolitical forces reshape trade flows

In the first half of 2026, Port of Antwerp-Bruges handled 133.9 million tonnes of maritime cargo, a... Read more

PD Ports announce Paul Foreman as new CEO

PD Ports, one of the UK’s major port and logistics businesses, announced today that Paul Foreman... Read more

New San Diego bulk sugar import facility to use only electric trucks

The Port of San Diego Board of Port Commissioners has approved an Option to Lease Agreement and authorised... Read more

Expanded partnership through bulk infrastructure development at Khalifa Port

AD Ports Group, an Abu Dhabi based, leading global enabler of integrated trade, industry and logistics... Read more

Port of Hamburg strengthens partnership with China

The Hamburg Port Authority (HPA) and SPG Qingdao Port Group have signed a Port Partnership Agreement... Read more

Contract awarded for Pilbara Ports Zone 5 Bypass Channel

The Cook Labor Government in Australia has welcomed the award of a dredging contract to Jan De Nul ... Read more

Netherlands Parliamentary rules out Maasvlakte II as location for new nuclear power plants

A parliamentary letter in the Netherlands on the selection of a site for the construction of two new... Read more

SSAB’s port operations in Raahe develop safety together with ESL Shipping

The long-term safety cooperation between ESL Shipping and the port of SSAB’s Raahe site is visible... Read more

Liverpool sees 200% rise in fertiliser imports interest amid ongoing uncertainty

The Port of Liverpool is experiencing a surge in demand from fertiliser importers as continued uncertainty... Read more

PD Ports strengthens Teesport bulk handling with £5.4m crane investment

PD Ports has further strengthened its bulk handling capability at Teesport with the arrival of... Read more