![\"\"](\"https:\/\/maritime-executive.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/width=768,format=auto,quality=80,fit=scale-down,onerror=redirect\/images\/quick-sub-header.png\")
<\/p>\nAs it finds itself locked in a deepening trade war with the United States, Canada is successfully building its international trade. A newly released study sponsored by Canada\u2019s West Coast ports shows that they are playing a critical role in growing foreign trade as the Canadian government highlights that it is investing in the country\u2019s seaports.<\/p>\n
The Economic Impact of West Coast Ports study, released today, August 26, highlights that British Columbia\u2019s maritime gateways at the ports of Vancouver, Prince Rupert, and Nanaimo (sponsors of the study along with two trade associations) serve as the backbone of Canada\u2019s international trade. The three ports handled more than 200 million metric tonnes of cargo in 2025 worth C$409 billion (US$295 billion), of which C$270 billion was Canada\u2019s trade with overseas trading partners, or nearly half of Canada\u2019s trade with markets outside North America.<\/p>\n
The ports highlight that they are moving record volumes of what Canadians make, mine, harvest, and grow to global customers in more than 170 overseas markets. They handle a diverse mix of cargo, supporting the movement of everything from bulk exports of Canadian energy, forestry products, potash, grain, and critical minerals to two-way container trade and imports of Asian-made vehicles, manufacturing parts and household necessities.<\/p>\n
Not included in the study, but also a key contributor was the opening of Canada\u2019s LNG export terminal. It is the only North American Pacific Coast LNG terminal and is expected to make strong inroads into Asian markets. It is being followed by others and offers the advantage of shorter distance and eliminates the need to transit the Panama Canal.<\/p>\n
\u201cWest Coast ports like Vancouver have an outsized role to play as Canada looks to double exports to non-U.S. markets over the next 10 years in support of a thriving national economy,\u201d said Peter Xotta, President and CEO, Vancouver Fraser Port Authority.<\/p>\n
The Port of Vancouver, with its 29 major deep-water terminals, is active in five key sectors: auto, bulk, breakbulk, container, and cruise. To the north, the Port of Prince Rupert handles raw materials as well as containers, and the Port of Nanaimo, located 30 nautical miles from the Port of Vancouver, is emerging on the Pacific coast. It supports containers, auto, bulk, breakbulk, cruise, and logistics services.<\/p>\n
Canada’s new government highlights that it is \u201claser-focused on building a stronger, more independent, more resilient Canadian economy.\u201d Speaking on Monday, August 24, Prime Minister Mark Carney highlighted the government\u2019s commitment to the ports. In the east, he pointed to the expansion of the Port of Montr\u00e9al at Contrecoeur with a new container terminal and at the Port of Qu\u00e9bec to move more Canadian products to global markets.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Stay on Top of the Daily Maritime News<\/p>\n
The maritime news
\n
that matters most<\/p>\n
\n Get the latest maritime news delivered to your inbox daily.\n <\/p>\n
Port of Vancouver officials highlight their planned Roberts Bank Terminal 2 to expand container capacity as well as the new federal Port of Vancouver Gateway strategy that is currently being developed. Similarly, the Port of Prince Rupert points to C$3 billion (US$2.2 billion) in ports underway that will expand capacity and support diversification.<\/p>\n