170 Million Tonnes of Cargo: What the Latest Vancouver Port Authority Data Reveals About Canada’s Supply Chain

The Vancouver Port Authority continued to strengthen its position as Canada’s most critical trade gateway in 2025, recording its highest cargo throughput on record. Total cargo volumes reached 170.4 million tonnes, a significant increase from 158.4 million tonnes in 2024, reflecting stronger global demand for Canadian commodities and shifting international trade flows. Canadian industries and international markets across Asia, North America, and beyond. Understanding the scale and composition of cargo moving through Vancouver provides valuable insight into the broader trends shaping Canada’s supply chain economy.

One of the most notable developments was the sharp rise in crude oil exports, which nearly doubled year over year. The expansion of export capacity, particularly following increased pipeline connectivity to the West Coast, enabled significantly larger volumes of Canadian oil to reach international markets. Much of this additional supply was directed toward Asian markets, which have emerged as a key buyer of Canadian crude shipped through Vancouver’s terminals.

With export volumes climbing rapidly, oil has now become the port’s second-largest export commodity, reaching approximately 24.8 million tonnes in 2025. Among the port’s principal export commodities, coal leads at 39.9 million metric tonnes, followed by petroleum products at 30.6 million tonnes, grain and specialty crops at 30 million tonnes, and potash shipments totaling 10.5 million tonnes annually. The shift highlights how energy exports are becoming a larger component of Western Canada’s trade profile. Trade flows have also shifted geographically. Historically, the United States was the primary destination for Canadian crude shipments. However, with expanded export capacity and greater access to Asian markets, the U.S. has moved into the second-largest destination position, reflecting the growing importance of the Indo-Pacific region for Canadian energy exports.

While energy shipments captured headlines, bulk commodities remain the backbone of cargo movement through the Port of Vancouver. Grain exports were particularly strong in 2025, reaching an all-time high of 30.3 million tonnes. Canada’s prairie grain harvest and strong demand from Asian and Middle Eastern markets contributed to this record performance. Fertilizer exports also saw major growth. Potash shipments rose 28% to 10.5 million tonnes, reinforcing Canada’s role as a major global supplier of agricultural inputs. Demand for fertilizer remained strong as countries sought to improve crop productivity and strengthen food security. Despite these positive trends, not every commodity category experienced growth. Canola exports declined sharply, dropping 23% to 6.6 million tonnes in 2025. Trade tensions and tariffs, particularly from China, significantly reduced demand during much of the year. However, recent developments in trade negotiations between Canada and China could potentially reverse this trend and support a recovery in export volumes moving forward.

Containerized cargo also played a growing role in the port’s operations. Vancouver’s container terminals handled 3.8 million twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) in 2025, representing a 9% increase compared with 2024. Container shipping is increasingly important for Canada’s export economy because it enables higher-value manufactured goods, processed food products, and specialty commodities to move efficiently to global markets. Containerized cargo also remains a major driver of trade through the port. Vancouver’s container terminals handle approximately 3.8 million TEUs, representing close to 26 million metric tonnes of cargo. These container movements connect Canadian businesses to markets around the world and support the flow of everything from consumer goods and electronics to specialized industrial products. Overall, export trade through the Port of Vancouver grew 11% year-over-year to 147 million tonnes, with more than 75% of these shipments destined for Indo-Pacific markets. This reinforces the port’s role as Canada’s primary trade corridor with Asia and highlights the increasing importance of Pacific trade routes for Canadian exporters. 

Taken together, these figures highlight the scale and strategic importance of the Port of Vancouver within Canada’s supply chain infrastructure. With the majority of cargo volumes tied to bulk commodity exports such as coal, petroleum products, grain, and potash, the port continues to serve as a critical gateway connecting Canadian resource industries to global markets. At the same time, the steady flow of containerized cargo underscores the growing role of diversified trade, supporting the movement of higher-value manufactured goods and consumer products between Canada and international markets.

For businesses operating in logistics, freight forwarding, warehousing, and transportation, these trends carry major implications. Rising cargo volumes mean growing demand for port logistics coordination, intermodal transportation, warehouse capacity, and supply chain talent across Western Canada. As trade volumes continue to expand, particularly with Asia, companies connected to the supply chain ecosystem will need to scale their workforce and operational capacity to keep pace with increasing cargo flows. Behind every record-breaking cargo statistic is a workforce that keeps the supply chain moving. From warehouse associates and forklift operators to dispatch coordinators and freight forwarding specialists, the demand for experienced logistics professionals continues to rise across the Lower Mainland. As trade with Indo-Pacific markets grows and cargo volumes increase, companies will need reliable access to qualified talent who can adapt to fast-moving operational environments. Organizations that invest in building strong logistics teams today will be the ones best prepared to handle tomorrow’s supply chain demands.

As British Columbia’s cargo volumes and trade activity continue to expand across the logistics network, the supply chain sector is entering 2026 with increasing operational demands for organizations that can adapt to automation, embrace hybrid skill sets, and implement flexible workforce strategies. Employers who take a proactive approach to hiring, by investing in training, leveraging local labour insights, and building scalable staffing models, will be better positioned to manage disruption and capture growth opportunities. By partnering with specialized agencies like Arza Employment Services, businesses across Greater Vancouver and the broader BC market can secure the right talent at the right time, ensuring their operations remain efficient, resilient, and competitive in an increasingly technology-driven landscape.