Port of Redwood City Reports 51 Percent Increase in Cargo Movement Due to Significant Increase in Bay Area Construction

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  • by BPC Staff
  • on July 16, 2012
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Port of Redwood City Press Advisory

Monday July 16, 2012

Port of Redwood City Reports 51 Percent Increase in Cargo Movement Due to Significant Increase in Bay Area Construction

 

            Reflecting a significant increase in construction in the Bay Area and the high quality of building materials from British Columbia, the Port of Redwood City experienced a 51 percent increase in cargo movement across its docks for the fiscal year 2011-2012 that ended June 30.

            The 12-month figure was 1,319,198 metric tons (MT), up from 871,940 metric tons from the previous fiscal year and the highest at the Port since 2008.

            Imports of sand and aggregates totaled 844,370 MT,  244 percent higher than the previous fiscal year.

            “The high quality of the sand and gravel aggregates from British Columbia combined with the dwindling supply of these materials in Northern California because quarries are unable to expand triggered a strong demand that the Port benefitted from,” said Executive Director Michael J. Giari.

            The building aggregates arrive at the Port by ships that contain self-unloading features, provided by Canadian Steamship Lines.    

            Polaris Minerals Corporation is the supplier of these high quality construction         aggregates. The company operates the Orca Quarry, located on the northeast coast of Vancouver Island, BC, which is a very high quality sand and gravel resource with significant long-term capacities.

 

            This increase helped offset a 132,886 MT decrease in exports of shredded metal, which had experienced a record high 444,591 MT the previous year by Sims Metals Management.

            Other materials for the FY included:   70,266 MT of imported gypsum, 53,517 MT of imported bauxite, 30,482 MT of domestic (SF Bay) sand, and 8,857 MT of fly ash.

            Operations Manager Don Snaman said 74 vessels (48 ships and 26 barges) made calls during the year, compared to 47 vessels (36 ships and 11 barges) the year before.