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Despite the global recession, the Port of Prince Rupert last year handled 12.1 million tons of cargo, the British Columbian facility’s highest volume since 1997 and a 15 percent increase compared with 2008 cargoes.

The port’s Fairview Container Terminal handled 265,259 20-foot equivalent units, up 45.9 percent, and Prince Rupert Grain bulk terminal handled 5 million tons, up 35.1 percent and the highest throughput since 1994. Wheat shipments jumped 55.8 percent to 4.6 million tons, helping offset volume decreases for barley, canola and grain pellets.

The port and its partners — including CN, Maher Terminals and several shipping lines — have “demonstrated the competitive advantages of the Port of Prince Rupert as a gateway for trans-Pacific container trade,” said Prince Rupert Port Authority President and Chief Executive Officer Don Krusel in a prepared statement.
 
While the port was pumping up volume last year, Union Pacific Railroad was trying to improve its intermodal service. One third-party logistics provider recently acknowledged those efforts. C.H. Robinson has named UP the 2009 Intermodal Rail Carrier of the Year — the first time the Class I has attained the honor. The award recognizes the railroad’s “commitment to service and overall value to C.H. Robinson’s business,” according to a prepared statement.