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January 16, 2008 (Saint John, N.B.) Traffic figures for 2007 released today by Saint John Port Authority record a 21% increases in vessel traffic and a 9% increase in cargo port wide with almost 900 vessel arrivals and over 27 million tonnes of cargo for the year. Cargo at private facilities increased from 23 million to over 25 million tonnes while revenue cargo at Port Authority facilities increased by 7% from 1.7 million tonnes to 1.8 million tonnes.
Liquid bulk increased by 9% from 23 million tonnes to over 25 million tonnes. This was reflected by gains in all sectors (petroleum products, chemicals, fish oil and molasses). In dry bulk, cargo through Barrack Point Potash Terminal increased by 2.6% from 1,029,491 tonnes to 1,056,849 tonnes for the year; sugar imports exceeded 23,000 tonnes for the year and there was an increase in limestone imports.
A revival of lumber exports generated significant activity at the port’s Lower Cove terminal, contributing to an overall 3% increase in forest products. In addition, the terminal was used for the assembly and loading of specialized project cargo throughout the year. This contributed to increases in break bulk cargo along with import steel and bagged cargo and export construction homes resulting in an increase in this sector to almost 98,000 tonnes compared to 20,000 tonnes in the previous year.
The Port also recorded a 7% gain in containerized cargo from 259,000 tonnes to 277,000 tonnes, as Tropical Shipping maintained their weekly service to the Caribbean. A new lease now being in place for the operation of Rodney Container Terminal will allow the Port Authority and the operator, Logistec Stevedoring to bring renewed focus on growing this sector further.
Two thousand and seven was a break through year for cruise with Saint John firmly establishing itself as a marquee port in the Canada New England cruise theatre resulting from Saint John being the exclusive port of call for seven Carnival Cruise Line four-day cruises, which proved to be an overwhelming success. Almost 134,000 passengers (compared with 88,000 in 2006) and 53 vessel calls (compared to 34 in 2006) made calls in 2007, representing more than a 50% increase in cruise passengers.
Our award-winning Meet and Greet Committee welcomed passengers from Princess, Carnival, Holland America, Royal Caribbean, Norwegian Cruise Line, Crystal Cruise Line, Fred Olsen Cruise Line, P & O Cruises and the first time caller Saga Shipping in the 2007. A record number of cruise lines in one year.
The vessels calling are also increasing in size and capacity. In 2000 the Port of Saint John had 67 vessel calls with 101,423 passengers and in 2007 we had 134,000 visitors on 53 vessels, demonstrating the increasing importance of Long Wharf as a second cruise facility.
The Port of Saint John, New Brunswick’s largest and most diverse marine gateway, is a bulk and break bulk port with the capacity to handle containers and is the second busiest port of call for cruise ships operating in Atlantic Canada.
The Port is a commercially viable, self-sufficient business enterprise and a cornerstone of the local economy. It is a critical component of the region’s transportation infrastructure essential to many of New Brunswick’s major industries engaged in international trade and provides deep-water, ice-free access to shipping year round.
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For More Information, contact:
Bill Eaton
Public Relations
Saint John Port Authority
506-636-4674
beaton@sjport.com
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