Container shipments rose 99% to reach 100,544 TEUs, doubling 2001’s total volume of 50,565 TEUs. Automobile imports reached 434,500 units over last year’s 369,993 units, further solidifying Fraser River Port’s position as the largest auto port in Canada and the third largest in North America. These volumes reflected a 10% growth in the number of deep-sea ship arrivals, from 687 last year to this year’s record 753 arrivals.

Overall, total international cargo volumes grew an unprecedented 51% from 3,013,260 tonnes in 2001 to 4,548,708 tonnes in 2002. Domestic shipments remained fairly steady at 18,548,608 tonnes. Total volume of cargo through the Port was 23,097,316 over last year’s 22,239,881 tonnes.

“Clearly our attempts to support the shippers and the businesses using the port, to take on a more entrepreneurial role with respect to businesses operating near or on the river, have been helping,” said Ed Kargl, the Port Authority’s Vice President of Business Development. “And we’ve got the results to show that investing in infrastructure, such as buying the new container crane at Fraser Surrey Docks and dredging the shipping channel, pays off. It means that local businesses are getting their product to market or receiving materials they need quickly and effectively. Which is what we’re here for.”

The shipment of cargo through Fraser River Port terminals and facilities generates 10,700 direct jobs and $500 million in wages for the local economy.

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