Seven of the Busiest Cargo Ports in Canada

Canada's ports are critical to its economy, facilitating trade between North America and global markets, especially with Asia. Canadian ports handle a diverse range of commodities. Major exports include natural resources like crude oil, natural gas, lumber, minerals, and agricultural products. The country's primary imports are machinery, electronics, vehicles, consumer goods, and industrial equipment.

Below are the most significant ports in Canada:

1. Port of Vancouver (CAVAN)‍

The largest port in Canada and one of the busiest in North America, the Port of Vancouver is crucial for trade with Asia-Pacific countries.

• Location: Situated on the southwestern coast of British Columbia, this port lies on the Pacific Ocean, in Vancouver's metropolitan area.
• Key Commodities: Coal, grain, forestry products, petroleum, containerized cargo.
• Annual Container Throughput: 3.7 million TEUs in 2023 (Lloyd's List)
• Annual Bulk Cargo Volume: 150.4 million tons (Port of Vancouver)

2. Port of Montreal (CAMTR)‍

Montreal is Canada’s largest port on the East Coast and serves as a major gateway for goods entering North America from Europe and the Mediterranean.

• Location: Located in the city of Montreal, Quebec, the port is situated on the St. Lawrence River, which connects to the Atlantic Ocean.
• Key Commodities: Consumer goods, machinery, electronics, agricultural products.
• Annual Container Throughput: 1.5 million TEU in 2023 (Port of Montreal)‍
• Annual Cargo Volume: 35.3 million tonnes -- 13.1m container, 13.9m liquid bulk, 8.4m dry bulk (Port of Montreal)

3. Port of Prince Rupert (CAPRR)‍

Known for its efficient container terminal, Prince Rupert is strategically positioned to handle cargo from Asia to North American markets with some of the shortest transit times on the continent.

• Location: Located in the northern part of British Columbia, this port lies on the Pacific Ocean, north of Vancouver.
• Key Commodities: Coal, grain, wood products, seafood.
• Annual Container Throughput: Approximately 1.3 million TEU.
• Annual Cargo Volume: 23.5 million tonnes in 2023 (Prince Rupert Port Authority).

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4. Port of Halifax (CAHAL)

‍Halifax is a significant deep-water port that can handle some of the largest container vessels in the world, providing direct access to markets in Europe and Asia.

• Location: Situated on the east coast of Nova Scotia, Halifax Harbour is on the Atlantic Ocean, making it a strategic location for international shipping.
• Key Commodities: Automobiles, machinery, food products, oil.
• Annual Container Throughput: 546,163 TEU in 2023 (Halifax Port Authority).
• Annual Cargo Volume: 9.8 million tonnes (Halifax Port Authority).

5. Port of Quebec (CAQUE)‍

Quebec handles bulk cargo, particularly grain and raw minerals, supporting Canada’s export of natural resources to international markets.

• Location: Situated in Quebec City, the port is located on the St. Lawrence River, providing access to both the Atlantic Ocean and Great Lakes.
• Key Commodities: Grain, minerals, chemicals, wood products.
• Annual Cargo Volume: ‍27.8 million tonnes in 2023 (Port of Quebec)

6. Port of Thunder Bay (CATHU)‍

This port is the westernmost Canadian port on the Great Lakes and plays a vital role in the distribution of agricultural products from the Canadian prairies. Given the propensity for icy conditions at this freshwater location, the port typically operates from the end of March to early January.

• Location: Located on the north shore of Lake Superior in Ontario, the port is crucial for trade with the central United States and Canada.
• Key Commodities: Grain, coal, potash, fertilizers.
• Annual Container Throughput: Primarily handles bulk cargo.
• Annual Cargo Volume: 9.6 million tonnes (Port of Thunder Bay)

7. Port of Saint John (CASJB)‍

Known for its petroleum and energy exports, Saint John plays a key role in the energy supply chain in Canada and the Northeastern United States.

• Location: Located in New Brunswick, the port is situated on the Bay of Fundy, which is known for having the highest tides in the world.
• Key Commodities: Oil, paper, seafood, agricultural products.
• Annual Container Throughput: 153,454 in 2023 (Port of Saint John)
• Annual Cargo Volume: 1.1 million tonnes in 2023 (Port of Saint John)