http://www.sjport.com/english/ http://www.sjport.com/english/news_events/article.asp?PressID=212 Signs of recovery from the economic downturn experienced in global markets in late 2008 and through 2009 are now being experienced at the Port of Saint John. Mid-year traffic results indicate that overall tonnage, at 15.9 million metric tonnes of cargo by June 30, was 17% higher than during the same period last year. In specific cargo sectors these recovery points were in liquid bulk (+14%) primarily over private facilities, dry bulk (+316%) and containers (+8%). The dramatic change in the dry bulk sector is largely attributable to potash and salt exports which have recovered from uncharacteristically low levels in 2009. By end of June this year, the tonnages for dry bulk cargoes had reached 537,000 metric tonnes. When compared to 2009 this represents a year-to-date increase of 316%. If compared to a more typical year such as 2008, the increase would have been 19%. Cargo volumes in the breakbulk sector were the one traffic area which experienced a loss over the previous year (-34%). The loss of AV Nackawic cargo provided a challenge for port tonnage statistics in this category, with only 39,000 tonnes forest products cargo moving over docks in Saint John during the first 6 months of the year. This compares to 110,000 during the first 6 months of 2009. The cruise sector, now the Port Authority’s second largest revenue stream, is in full-swing and running smoothly with one-fifth of the cruise calls having already taken place. The bulk of the cruise season is still to come with more than 210,000 passengers expected for this year. The Port of Saint John 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. - 30 - For More Information, contact: Paula Small Saint John Port Authority 506-636-5377 psmall@sjport.com BACKGROUNDER Total Port Tonnage Statistics – Port of Saint John Liquid Bulk 2009 13.3 million metric tonnes 2010 15.1 million metric tonnes Dry Bulk 2009 129,000 metric tonnes 2010 537,000 metric tonnes Breakbulk 2009 130,000 metric tonnes 2010 85,000 metric tonnes Containers 2009 125,000 metric tonnes or 21,700 TEUs 2010 135,000 metric tonnes or 22,400 TEUs Total 2009 13.7 million metric tonnes 2010 15.9 million metric tonnes http://www.sjport.com/english/news_events/article.asp?PressID=212 Thu, 29 Jul 2010 00:00:00 EST http://www.sjport.com/english/news_events/article.asp?PressID=211 Business New Brunswick / Office of the Premier Work set to begin on container terminal refurbishment NB July 6, 2010 SAINT JOHN (CNB) –The Saint John Port Authority has begun issuing tenders to ensure renovations to the Rodney Container Terminal begin as quickly as possible. The Saint John Port Authority has begun doing so thanks to a recent funding agreement with provincial government. The announcement was made by Supply and Services Minister Ed Doherty; Energy Minister Jack Keir; Stephen Campbell, chairman, Saint John Port Authority; and Gordon Cole, general manager, Tropical Shipping of Canada. "This project will help the Port of Saint John provide even better service to the many shipping and trucking companies that depend on the port for business," said Doherty. The tender announced today is to replace and refurbish decking, piles and pile caps at the terminal, located on the west-side of the Saint John Port Authority property. Work is expected to begin in mid- to late-July. This tender represents about half of the $1.4-million project, which is expected to be completed by September 2011. Premier Shawn Graham announced the provincial government's agreement with the Saint John Port Authority during an address to the cruise industry in Saint John on June 10. The provincial government has agreed to invest $700,000 in the project which, next year, will entail the replacement of the asphalt on the port's west-side access road and container terminal entrance. Campbell said the renovations will make the Rodney Container Terminal a more attractive location for major container shipping lines, and this will provide New Brunswick exporters and importers even more options with direct access to global markets. "Rodney Terminal at the Port of Saint John is New Brunswick's only container terminal," said Campbell. "We are confident this project will help attract new business and more work to the port, generating more spin-off benefits to the city and the province as a whole." The project is intended to improve the container terminal to the benefit of port users, including Saint John-based shipping and stevedoring companies as well trucking interests provincewide "Tropical Shipping is pleased that both the Province of New Brunswick and the Saint John Port Authority are investing in improvements to the terminal," said Cole. "This will help our company continue to provide a premium service for our customers shipping to and from Florida, the Bahamas and the Caribbean." MEDIA CONTACTS: Ashley Bursey, communications, Business New Brunswick, 506-461-0942, ashley.bursey@gnb.ca, Paula Small, communications, Saint John Port Authority, 506-636-5377. http://www.sjport.com/english/news_events/article.asp?PressID=211 Tue, 6 Jul 2010 00:00:00 EST http://www.sjport.com/english/news_events/article.asp?PressID=210 For Immediate Release At yesterday’s conclusion to the annual Port Days, The Saint John Port Authority presented Canaport LNG with the 2010 Port Award of the Year. Each year, the Port Authority selects a worthy recipient to receive the Port Award of the Year, in recognition of their contribution to our success as a Port. "Canaport LNG is a partnership between Repsol YPF of Spain and Fort Reliance," noted Capt. Al Soppitt, President and CEO of the Saint John Port Authority, in presenting the award. "The opening of Mispec Point LNG terminal in June 2009, was an important milestone for the Port of Saint John. This award is being given in recognition of this significant addition to the traffic mix of the Port of Saint John." The state-of-the-art receiving and regasification facility, a first for Canada, has a capacity of 1.2 billion cubic feet or 28 million cbms per day and is now successfully importing liquid natural gas into North America. Accepting the award on behalf of Canaport LNG was Mr. Adolpho Azcarraga The award was introduced in 1998 and the first recipient was Paul Doiron of Logistec Stevedoring in recognition of his significant contribution in developing the forest products sector through the Port of Saint John. Over the years many valuable clients of the Port of Saint John have been recognized including Irving Oil Limited, Tropical Shipping, Potash Corporation of Saskatchewan, Aquila Tours and of course, last year’s recipient, Carnival Corporation and PCL. -30- MEDIA CONTACT: Bill Eaton Manager, Government Relations and Public Affairs Saint John Port Authority 506.636.4674 http://www.sjport.com/english/news_events/article.asp?PressID=210 Wed, 16 Jun 2010 00:00:00 EST http://www.sjport.com/english/news_events/article.asp?PressID=209 Saint John, NB – When the Canada New England (CNE) Cruise Symposium comes to Saint John next week, there will be no shortage of influential government decision-makers in attendance. At the opening reception on the evening of Tuesday June 8th, Hon. Brian Kenny, the newly appointed Minister of Tourism for New Brunswick will welcome everyone. Hon. Rob Moore – Minister of State Small Business and Tourism, Government of Canada will be speaking to the delegates on Thursday June 10th at their breakfast meeting. Later that same morning, Hon. Shawn Graham - Premier of New Brunswick will bring greetings from the Province. "We are delighted to have such a high level of interest from our elected officials," said Betty MacMillan, Manager of Business Development for the Saint John Port Authority and Chair of the Symposium. "The fact that we have attracted this degree of attention, underscores the significance of the cruise business to our region." Delegates will have two full days of meetings and panel sessions but it will not be all work. Event organizers have planned a traditional Maritime Kitchen Party in the Market Square Atrium for the opening night, followed by a chocolate reception at the Trade and Convention Center. The following evening will feature a reception at the New Brunswick Museum and a Dinner/Auction at the Trade and Convention Center. The Symposium will draw to a close on Thursday evening with a visit to O’Leary’s Pub for pizza and entertainment. Tickets for all events are available by calling Brittany Halpin at 636-4980 -30- For More Information, contact: Bill Eaton Manager, Government Relations and Public Affairs Saint John Port Authority 506-636-4674 beaton@sjport.com http://www.sjport.com/english/news_events/article.asp?PressID=209 Sat, 5 Jun 2010 00:00:00 EST http://www.sjport.com/english/news_events/article.asp?PressID=208 (Saint John)- The 2010 cruise season for the Port of Saint John kicks off tomorrow with a call from the MS Hanseatic, a Hapag-Lloyd cruise line vessel. The Hanseatic is the only five-star expedition-cruise ship worldwide with a total passenger capacity of 188. The 8400-tonne vessel specializes in trips to the Antarctic. "The cruise industry continues to be the second biggest revenue generator for the Port Authority," said Capt. Al Soppitt, President and CEO of the Saint John Port Authority. "We anticipate we will welcome over 214,000 cruise passengers onboard 77 vessels, this season." The Port of Saint John cruise activity has a significant economic impact, bringing an estimated expenditure in excess of $30 million from passenger, crew, and cruise lines each year to our local area Some highlights from this year’s cruise season include: • Princess Cruises will be calling 15 times with 2 of their Grand Class ships (Grand Princess and Caribbean Princess) • Celebrity Cruises has an expanded program into Saint John with the Celebrity Summit calling 5 times (the highest frequency in a single year from this line) • Royal Caribbean International will be sending the Enchantment of the Seas in place of last years’ smaller capacity Grandeur of the Seas. Including calls from the Jewel of the Seas and Explorer of the Seas, Royal Caribbean International will make 15 calls in total. • Inaugural visits will occur this year with three vessels (Carnival Glory, Celebrity Summit and P&O’s Arcadia). • Saint John will play host to the Canada-New England Cruise Symposium from June 8th to 10th. "We are gratified to see continuous growth in our cruise sector," said Betty MacMillan, Manager of Business Development for the Port Authority. "By playing the role of host city for the Canada-New England Cruise Symposium this year, we will be able to showcase Saint John and the Bay of Fundy to the most influential participants in the cruise industry." -30- For More Information, contact: Bill Eaton Manager, Government Relations and Public Affairs Saint John Port Authority 506-636-4674 beaton@sjport.com http://www.sjport.com/english/news_events/article.asp?PressID=208 Thu, 27 May 2010 00:00:00 EST