The Port Alberni Port Authority had a good year in 2017, but 2018 is not expected to continue that trend.
The Port saw a 10% growth last year, despite a 6% decrease in revenue.
A recent switch from Western Forest Products to trucking their lumber from APD rather than loading it on ships here, has had a big effect on the Port’s bottom line.
David McCormick, Director of Business Operations says they’re working hard to get that business back.
He said WFP plans to review trucking costs in September and decide if lumber shipments will return to the Port.
Raw log exports are up by 18%, which is no surprise to local boaters, as they’ve noticed a large increase in the number of loose logs floating around the harbour.
Port officials said forest companies cutback on their log recovery program significantly, and they’ll be asking it be restored.