Image: Port of Vancouver / Jiawangkun / Dreamstime

By Canadian Press

cargo ships

Middle East conflict likely to create more traffic at Port of Vancouver

Mar 24, 2024 | 1:45 PM

CHILLIWACK — The CEO of the Port of Vancouver says attacks on cargo vessels in the Red Sea could push more vessel traffic to the city’s ports.

Peter Xotta says the attacks are causing ships to be rerouted, and that could mean more cargo coming through Vancouver in the short term.

He says there’s been an uptick in cargo volume this year that could be, in part, related to the attacks on ships by Houthi militants since December.

Xotta says the attacks have created supply chain volatility while other events such as a drought in Central America that affected the Panama Canal have disrupted global shipping activity.