Port of Vancouver Sees Surge in Trade Activity in 2025
Cargo volumes at the Port of Vancouver rose 13% in early 2025, reflecting stronger Canadian exports and growing global trade through the country’s largest port.
WBN News Vancouver
By Karalee Greer | WBN News – Vancouver | March 12, 2026 Subscription to WBN and being a Contributor is Free.
Canada’s busiest port handled significantly more cargo in 2025, according to a recent report from the Vancouver Fraser Port Authority, highlighting the growing importance of Vancouver as a gateway for global trade.
The port authority’s mid-year statistics show that 85 million metric tonnes of cargo moved through the Port of Vancouver in the first six months of 2025, representing a 13% increase compared with the same period in 2024. Port Technology International
The increase reflects rising global demand for Canadian resources and commodities, as well as expanded export capacity from Western Canada. The Port of Vancouver, which is the largest port in Canada and the fourth largest in North America by cargo volume, connects Canadian producers with more than 170 international trading economies.
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Much of the growth was driven by strong exports of Canadian energy and agricultural products. Crude oil shipments surged following the launch of the expanded Trans Mountain pipeline in 2024, while exports of grain, potash, and canola oil also increased as Canada diversified trade to markets in Asia and Europe.
Container shipping activity also rose. Vancouver’s four container terminals handled 1.88 million containers during the first half of the year, a 6% increase year-over-year, reflecting strong demand for containerized trade and continued resilience in global supply chains.
Port officials say the growth underscores the critical role Vancouver plays in Canada’s trade economy. Businesses across the country rely on the port to export natural resources, agricultural products, and manufactured goods while importing consumer products and industrial supplies.
More than 80% of trade moving through the port is destined for markets outside the United States, reflecting Canada’s effort to expand international trade partnerships amid shifting global economic conditions.
Looking ahead, infrastructure projects such as the proposed Roberts Bank Terminal 2 expansion could further increase the port’s capacity, potentially enabling billions of dollars in additional trade each year.
For Vancouver’s economy, the report reinforces the city’s position as one of North America’s most important maritime gateways and a critical hub for Canadian exports.
Editor: By Karalee Greer | WBN News – Vancouver LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/karalee/ Subscription to WBN and being a Contributor is Free.
Tags: #WBN News Vancouver #Karalee Greer #Vancouver Business #Port of Vancouver #Global Trade #International Trade
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