Trans Mountain Pipeline Lifts Vancouver’s Cargo Volume to New Heights

The Port of Vancouver, Canada is celebrating remarkable performance after cargo throughput hit record highs last year, despite challenging circumstances.

Vancouver Fraser Port Authority (VFPA) saw overall cargo volumes hit a record 158 million metric tonnes, a five percent increase compared to the previous record of 150 million MT set in 2023. The growth was a result of increase in volumes across all segments including oil, auto, bulk and container shipping.

During the year, Vancouver and other Canadian ports had to contend with challenges including labor disputes, local and global geopolitical tensions, climate change and extreme weather such as wildfires. Despite this, Vancouver cemented its status as Canada’s biggest facilitator of international trade.

The Trans Mountain pipeline expansion has unlocked new markets across Asia for Canadian petroleum products, and liquid bulk exports surged by an unprecedented 203 percent to 17.1 million tonnes. Dry bulk however posted a four percent decline to 96 million MT driven by fall in coal and potash exports.

Container trade recovered throughout 2024, returning to pre-pandemic growth trends. Vancouver’s four container terminals handled 3.5 million TEU, up 11 percent compared to 2023 and two percent compared to 2019.

Growth was also recorded in the ro/ro segment, with a record of almost 470,000 vehicles handled by auto terminals.

During the year, the top trading partners that moved goods through the port were China with 46 million tonnes, Japan with 19 million tonnes and South Korea with 18 million tonnes. Trade to the U.S. through the port increased to seven percent of total cargo moved, amounting to 10 million tonnes, driven by increased petroleum exports.

While the performance shows that Canada’s biggest port is on a growth trajectory, trade uncertainties ignited by tariff wars could affect the port’s activities this year. Confusion continues around the 25 percent tariff imposed on certain Canadian goods by President