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NANAIMO – Bernie Dumas, President & CEO of the Nanaimo Port Authority has announced an increase in cargo volumes for 2015 and with the Duke Point Expansion Project.
“We are in the final stages of our expansion initiative at Duke Point with last summer’s arrival of the 104 metric tonne mobile harbour crane and the near completion of a new barge berth,” says Dumas. “This $9.3 million upgrade of the new barge berth and the deep sea berth allows us to provide simultaneous operations for Short Sea Shipping links to Mainland terminals and direct connections to global markets. We will be able to service post-panamax ships handling almost any cargo type, reduce congestion and delays with improved berthing options. And this is perfect timing given the significant growth in our cargo volumes for 2015.”
Imports to Nanaimo’s port grew by 23% over 2014, 12% for exports, together totalling 4,850,327 metric tonnes. Containers leaped 39% in terms of TEU’s – (Twenty Foot Equivalents). Ships visiting Nanaimo’s harbour remained the same at 241 (242 in 2014).
Dumas goes on to say, “Adjustments made a short time ago to provide more diverse solutions for cargo type and movement and the growth in cargo volumes for 2015 demonstrate the results that we anticipated. I believe we can look forward to a new era of Island commerce and growth for Vancouver Island’s imports and exports.”