The rebound of container cargo through Port Metro Vancouver (PMV) from the 2009 recession-related plunge has exceeded expectations and is approaching the record of 2.5 million TEU set in 2008.

Commenting on throughput in the first 10 months of this year, Chris Badger, the PMV chief operating officer, told CI eXpress that 'we may not quite reach the 2008 summit but it's going to be very close.'

In the period to end October, Canada's largest port handled 2.09 million TEU - representing a 17% increase over the 1.78 million TEU a year-earlier. Imports were up 16% and exports up 18%.

'China continues to be our biggest trading partner, by far, followed by Japan and South Korea,' Badger [pictured] said.

'We are presently seeing some softening, which is more visible on the incoming traffic, notably in consumer products for retail stores,' he said, adding that 'the store shelves are now full waiting for the Christmas rush. Things should pick up when the Chinese New Year arrives in the winter.'

'The Chinese economy remains on a strong growth path and there is brisk demand for Canadian raw materials, including lumber moving more and more in containers,' Badger said.

Another factor, he said, was the buoyant demand in a Canadian economy recovering comparatively well from the 2008-2009 recession.

Earlier this year, PMV officials had forecast a 5% increase in containerised cargo in 2010, after volume had dropped by 14% in 2009 to 2.15 million TEU.