The ranking of Canada ports is usually based on the total cargo they handle or the number of containers they move through (in TEUs – that’s Twenty-foot Equivalent Units, by the way). The Port of Vancouver consistently ranks at the top for overall cargo and container volume, with other major ports on the West and East Coasts not far behind. Here’s a list of Canada’s biggest ports based on recent data:
Top 10 Busiest Ports in Canada
1. Port of Vancouver (British Columbia)
- Annual Cargo Volume: Approximately 150 million tonnes
- Container Throughput: 3.7 million TEUs (2023 data)
- Highlights: As Canada’s largest and most diversified port, Vancouver serves as a vital gateway to the Asia-Pacific markets. It expertly handles a vast array of cargo, including coal, grain, forestry products, petroleum, and a significant volume of containerized goods.
2. Port of Montreal (Quebec)
- Annual Cargo Volume: 35.3 million tonnes
- Container Throughput: 1.5 million TEUs (2023 data)
- Highlights: Standing as the largest port on Canada’s East Coast, Montreal boasts a strategic location on the St. Lawrence River. This makes it a central hub for goods flowing into North America from Europe and the Mediterranean.
3. Port of Sept-Îles (Quebec)
- Annual Cargo Volume: Approximately 30 million tonnes
- Highlights: This port specializes in bulk cargo, particularly iron ore exports, playing a significant role in Canada’s robust mining industry.
4. Port of Saint John (New Brunswick)
- Annual Cargo Volume: Over 28 million tonnes
- Highlights: The Port of Saint John handles a diverse mix of cargo, including petroleum products, forest products, and containers. Recent investments have substantially modernized its facilities to meet the increasing demands of trade.
5. Port of Quebec (Quebec)
- Annual Cargo Volume: Approximately 27 million tonnes
- Highlights: Strategically positioned for access to both the Great Lakes and the Atlantic Ocean, the Port of Quebec manages a diverse range of cargo, including bulk, breakbulk, and containers.
6. Port of Prince Rupert (British Columbia)
- Annual Cargo Volume: 23.5 million tonnes (2023 data)
- Container Throughput: Approximately 1.3 million TEUs
- Highlights: Renowned for its efficient container terminal and strategic geographical position, Prince Rupert offers some of the shortest transit times from Asia to North America.
7. Port of Halifax (Nova Scotia)
- Annual Cargo Volume: Over 19.5 million tonnes (2023 data)
- Highlights: As Atlantic Canada’s premier container port, Halifax provides ice-free, deep-water access and boasts the shortest sailing time from Europe and Asia via the Suez Canal.
8. Port of Thunder Bay (Ontario)
- Annual Cargo Volume: 10.2 million tonnes
- Highlights: Primarily serving as a grain shipping port for Western Canada, Thunder Bay also efficiently handles commodities such as coal, potash, and essential components for wind turbines.
9. Port of Hamilton (Ontario)
- Annual Cargo Volume: Approximately 10 million tonnes
- Highlights: As Ontario’s largest port, Hamilton serves as a crucial gateway for bulk cargo, including steel, grain, and fertilizer, which underpins the region’s thriving industrial sector.
10. Port of Toronto (Ontario)
- Annual Cargo Volume: Approximately 2 million tonnes
- Highlights: Serving the bustling Greater Toronto Area, this port handles essential bulk cargo and plays a vital role in supporting the region’s dynamic construction and energy sectors.
The Impact of Canada Ports on International Trade
Canadian ports are crucial for international trade as Canada is one of the world’s major trading nations. These ports are vital for transporting goods, and they serve as the primary hubs connecting Canada’s economy to global markets. You can see their impact on international trade in a few ways:
1. Promoting trade and economic growth.
- Trade arteries: Canada ports are the primary means by which the country imports and exports goods, facilitating easy movement of goods between Canada and over 170 trading partners worldwide. For example, the Port of Vancouver handles over half of Canada’s containerized cargo and is number one in North America for export volume.
- Exports of resources: Canada sells a significant amount of natural resources to other countries, and its ports play a crucial role in shipping bulk goods, including energy products (such as oil and natural gas), minerals (like iron ore and potash), agricultural products (like grains and canola), and forest products. The ports of Sept-Îles and Montreal in Quebec, as well as the Port of Hamilton in Ontario, are all crucial for exporting goods.
- Imports of consumer and industrial goods: Ports are also the main entry points for Canada’s imports of various goods (such as machinery, electronic products, automobiles, and consumer goods), which support Canada’s manufacturing, retail, and consumer demand.
2. Strengthening and enhancing the global supply chain’s efficiency.
- Location: Canada ports on the east and west coasts have some significant geographic advantages. Vancouver and Prince Rupert on the West Coast are the fastest routes to transport goods from North America to Asia, offering the shortest trans-Pacific shipping times. The East Coast ports of Halifax and Montreal give you direct access to European and Mediterranean markets. This dual-coast advantage makes Canada more resilient in the face of global supply chain disruptions, enabling it to serve as an alternative route for the North American market.
- Multimodal Transportation Network: Canadian ports are well-connected to rail and highway networks, allowing goods to be transported quickly and reliably to the country’s interior and economic heartland, similar to the U.S. Midwest. Take the Canadian National Railway (CN) and the Canadian Pacific Railway (CP), for example. They’re both essential when it comes to maintaining and operating container and freight terminals at ports.
- Modern Infrastructure and Technology: To stay ahead of the competition, Canadian ports continually invest in modern infrastructure and technology, including automated container handling, AI-driven scheduling systems, and digital cargo flow management. This helps to improve efficiency, reduce congestion, and expedite cargo movement. This makes Canada more attractive for international trade.
3. Promoting Regional Economic Development and Employment
- Economic Driver: Canada’s port system is worth over CAD 25 billion a year to the national GDP and supports more than 213,000 direct and indirect jobs. The port operations, logistics services, and related industries are performing exceptionally well, bringing significant economic benefits to the cities and regions where they are located.
- Investment and Development: Ports are crucial for attracting both domestic and foreign investment. Their ongoing expansion and upgrade projects create construction and technical employment opportunities while also providing a foundation for the development of surrounding industries. Take, for example, the investment in modernizing the Port of Saint John. That’s there to adapt to the growing demands of trade.
4. Challenges and Future Impacts
Canadian ports are essential for international trade, but they also face several challenges:
- Labor Disputes: Strikes and labor disputes at ports can lead to significant delays in cargo and disruptions to supply chains, which has a knock-on effect on the Canadian and North American economies. Take, for example, the recent port shutdown in British Columbia.
- Infrastructure Investment Needs: To handle rising trade volumes and remain competitive on the global stage, Canadian ports must make significant investments in upgrades and expansions. By 2040, Canadian Port Authorities (CPAs) may require as much as CAD 21.5 billion in investments. Financial issues and complex approval processes may hinder the implementation of these crucial projects.
- Climate Change and How We Adapt: Ports must address the challenges of climate change, such as rising sea levels and extreme weather, while also working towards their decarbonization goals, which require additional investment and new technologies.
