The Pacific Northwest port posted increases in volumes of steel, project cargo, grain and automobiles in 2015.
The Port of Vancouver USA in Washington state reported record revenues and cargo throughput in 2015, according to the port’s most recent financial statements.
Vancouver posted a record $38.2 million in operating revenues in 2015, up from the previous record of $37.5 million set in 2014.
Total import and export cargo volumes – measured in tonnage – stood at 6.95 million metric tons, a nearly 5.5 percent increase from 2014.
“Our docks are busy, our industrial facilities are full and we’re making great strides on critical projects like Centennial Industrial Park and the waterfront redevelopment,” said Todd Coleman, the chief executive officer of the port.
The port said exports of wheat, corn and soybeans, were up 6.4 percent to 4.56 million metric tons in 2015. While wheat exports saw a slight decrease due to fluctuations in currency and the global economy, corn exports increased by 19.5 percent and soybean exports grew by 58.6 percent.
United Grain Corp. moves the majority of grain at the Port of Vancouver.
The port said United Grain has partnered with it to invest in facilities that take advantage of increased rail capacity from the port’s West Vancouver Freight Access project.
Overall, exports were up 3.8 percent and import by 12 percent in 2015. Imports benefited from an increase in steel and project cargo, for which the port said it offers “unique equipment capabilities and laydown space.”
Steel slabs, a new commodity for the port in 2014, took total steel import tonnage to 770,627 metric tons in 2015, an increase of 30.5 percent from the previous year. Project cargo, such as massive transformers handled at the port for a Bonneville Power Administration energy project, saw a 103 percent increase.
Subaru imported 90,183 automobiles through the port last year, 10 percent more than in 2014. The Japanese automaker agreed to extend its lease until at least 2030.
