Redwood City volume down 34% in fiscal year

Redwood City volume down 34% in fiscal year    The Port of Redwood City said Friday that it has recorded its lowest volume since 2002 for the fiscal year 2008-2009, a drop of 34 percent from the previous fiscal year.
   Through June 30, the port handled 986,727 tons over the previous 12 months. The fiscal year ending June 30, 2002 saw the port handle 899,650 metric tons.
   'The extended slump in Bay Area construction is directly related to this significant decline in tonnage at the port,' said Port Commission Chairman Dick Dodge. 'We are forecasting that it will continue to negatively impact port tonnage in the coming year before beginning to turn around.'
   Port Executive Director Michael Giari said that all commodities experienced a decrease over the previous fiscal year with the exception of exported scrap metal, which increased by 32,050 tons, or nearly 10 percent. There were significant decreases in imports of dry bulk materials, including cement, sand and gravel aggregates, and gypsum.
   Vessel calls also dropped precipitously, from 115 in the previous fiscal year to 48 in the most recent year.