December 4, 1999: Total cargo shipments through Fraser River Port reached 16,582,528 tonnes at the end of the third quarter compared to 15,917,233 in the previous year.

Ship arrivals have increased to 428 over 393 in 1998 due to additional volume. There has also been an increase in containerized cargo, now up 50% to 26,431 TEUs. “We are pleased that the upgrades to our container handling facilities at Fraser Surrey Docks have yielded such immediate, measurable results”, commented Ed Kargl, vice-president, Corporate Development for the port authority.

As the major West Coast vehicle distribution centre, Fraser River Port received a total of 221,888 import units. The Port now handles all of the Korean shipments destined for the Canadian market place. Mr. Kargl added that “the increased demand for vehicles is also due to a stronger economy in Canada.”

The stronger pulp and paper volumes were offset by a decrease in lumber cargoes due to the still weak Asian economic condition.

Domestic cargoes increased due to various factors, but the significant increase of 150,000 tonnes of paper is directly attributable to the 315,000 sq. ft. Sylvan Distribution Centre built by the Fraser River Port Authority for Fletcher Challenge Canada Limited (FCCL). The new warehouse facility was designed to enhance the efficiency of the marine transportation portion of their supply chain. Seaspan now provides covered barge service from FCCL mills to the centre in Surrey which has excellent access to truck and rail for distributing the product further in the Lower Mainland and beyond.

For more information contact:

Raija Orava
Manager, Public Affairs
Fraser River Port Authority
Tel. (604) 524-6655