The Port of Vancouver USA is celebrating a record-breaking year as 2015 officially becomes the best year for revenue and tonnage in the port’s 104-year history.
On Wednesday, the port reported a record $38.2 million in operating revenue in 2015, up from the previous record of $37.5 million in 2014. Tonnage – total import and export cargo – was at 6.95 million metric tons, up 5.5 percent from 2014.
The largest export at the port in 2015 was grain (wheat, corn and soybeans), at 4.56 million metric tons – a 6.4 percent increase over the previous year.
Overall imports increased by 12 percent in 2015, largely fueled by gains in steel and project cargo.
Additionally, the port reported an increase in operating expenses in 2015, a result of new staff and investments in infrastructure such as the Terminal 1 redevelopment project and Centennial Industrial Park.
“Our docks are busy, our industrial facilities are full and we’re making great strides on critical projects like Centennial Industrial Park and the waterfront redevelopment,” said port CEO Todd Coleman in a press release. “We’ve added some great folks to our world-class staff to make sure we’re growing thoughtfully and planning for the future.”
Looking ahead, the port said that because of its broad portfolio, it is well-positioned to handle world market fluctuations and to take advantage of upticks in commodities such as wind energy, automobiles and grain.
