2013 already rings with prosperity for Port Saint John
Throughout history, the coming and going of ships has signified prosperity for port cities and their surrounding region. Now, expanding services and increased volumes are contributing to Port Saint John’s growing prosperity.
Numbers released at the end of the first quarter of 2013 show Port Saint John experienced major increases in tonnage in four key areas.
Forest products saw a 32 per cent increased from 2012 with woodpulp tonnage forming the largest percentage of this increase. Woodpulp tonnage went from 13,136 tonnes to 22,500 tonnes, marking a 71 per cent increase year-over-year.
Container tonnage saw a 72 per cent increase from 2012, going from 64,000 tonnes to 110,000 tonnes.
Container TEUs (twenty-foot equivalent units) saw a 52 per cent increase from 2012, going from 11,000 TEUs to 16,500 TEUs.
PotashCorp, located at the Port’s Barrack Point terminal, saw a record-breaking 277,000 tonnes of potash transported through Port Saint John, up 141 per cent over the same quarter in 2012.
Port President and CEO Jim Quinn said the tonnage increases are significant.
“We showed growth in all the major areas. I think it’s a reflection in part of all the work people have been involved in at the port and in the stakeholder community. This first quarter is an early indicator of how we’re hoping the year will progress,” he said.
Port Saint John is connected to the global container market through Tropical Shipping and Mediterranean Shipping Company. Both shipping lines are valuable Port partners, as well as key players in the regional economy.
Piece of the puzzle
Quinn said Port Saint John is a crucial piece of the economic development puzzle. Port Saint John is a cornerstone of the provincial economy.
“We consider the port to be integral to the province with respect to economic activity and economic development. These are foundational for growing a more prosperous environment for people in the city and the province,” he said.
Port Saint John is a gateway for Canadian commodities. The Port exports material like petroleum products, frozen food, scrap metal, potash, salt and livestock, to name a few.
The Port is also at the centre of job growth in Saint John. The port generates nearly 3,000 direct and indirect jobs for Canadians.
“The port is an important provincial asset and if the right services are provided through the port, it gives producers and manufacturers throughout the province an opportunity for global reach. If there’s an increased demand for their products, which should lead to busier plants and manufacturers and help contribute to job growth. All in all, the Port is an important piece of that economic puzzle,” he said.