Market Report, "Canada Shipping Report Q4 2014", published

Economic growth in Canada will gradually accelerate over the next few years, helped by a continued expansion in private consumption and a return to positive growth in fixed investment. Our growth outlook, however, remains below consensus expectations, reflecting concerns about high household leverage, declining commodity prices and recent weakness in US economic data.

We forecast 2.1% real GDP growth in 2014 and 2.3% growth in 2015. As we have previously noted, our stronger growth forecasts over the next few years by no means represent a firmly optimistic outlook on the economy, as we remain below consensus. Indeed, a recent monthly Bloomberg survey shows consensus expectations of 2.2% and 2.5% in 2014 and 2015 respectively, with this year's reading being a revision from 2.3% previously, suggesting that consensus is slowly converging with our own projection of 2.1% growth for this year.

In 2014, we have pencilled in a very poor year for the Canadian shipping sector due primarily to the industrial action that has significantly affected throughput at Port Metro Vancouver. We anticipate contractions in both tonnage and box terms at the port this year due to the disruption. Meanwhile, the port of Montreal is expected to register year-on-year (y-o-y) growth of just 1.00% in tonnage throughput handled, while box throughput will fare better (2.96%).

Full Report Details at
- http://www.fastmr.com/prod/861803_canada_shipping_report_q4_2014.aspx?afid=301

Headline Industry Data

* 2014 Port of Vancouver tonnage throughput forecast to contract 2.81%. We project throughput to reach 131.213mn tonnes in 2018.
* 2014 Port of Vancouver container throughput forecast to contract 1.00% to reach 2.78mn twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs). Over the medium term, we project throughput to reach 3.505mn TEUs.

Key Industry Trends

Short-Term Downside On Strike Action, But FTA To Boost Medium Term : Two key developments highlight the mixed outlook for the port of Metro Vancouver over the short and medium term. In the short term, Canada's biggest port is battling industrial action, with a...

The Canada Shipping Report has been researched at source and features latest-available data and Business Monitor International (BMI)'s independent forecasting, critically analysing international transport of dry bulk and containers. The report evaluates the global commodities and trade backdrop, alongside in-depth country-specific analysis of trade prospects. The report also contains company profiles covering leading multinational and national shipping companies and analysis of latest industry news, trends and regulatory developments in Canada.

BMI's Canada Shipping Report provides industry professionals and strategists, sector analysts, business investors, trade associations and regulatory bodies with independent forecasts and competitive intelligence on the shipping industry in Canada.

Key Benefits

About Fast Market Research

Fast Market Research is a leading distributor of market research and business information. Representing the world's top research publishers and analysts, we provide quick and easy access to the best competitive intelligence available. Our unbiased, expert staff is always available to help you find the right research to fit your requirements and your budget.

For more information about these or related research reports, please visit our website at http://www.fastmr.com or call us at 1.800.844.8156.

You may also be interested in these related reports:

- Australia Shipping Report Q4 2014
- United Arab Emirates Shipping Report Q4 2014
- Egypt Shipping Report Q4 2014
- Colombia Shipping Report Q4 2014
- South Korea Shipping Report Q3 2014