March 13, 2025
The Port of Vancouver helped facilitate record volumes of Canadian trade in 2024, playing a crucial role connecting Canada to diverse markets across the world.
The Vancouver Fraser Port Authority's annual statistics show a record 158 million metric tonnes (MMT) of cargo moved through the port in 2024, a 5% increase year-over-year that was led by strong performances in the auto, bulk and container sectors.
Almost as much cargo moved through the Port of Vancouver in 2024 as was handled by Canada's next five largest ports combined, and approximately 80% of the international trade it enabled was Canadian trade with countries other than the U.S.
The bulk sector's strong performance led the way, with volumes up 8% to 117.9 MMT, including:
Record liquid bulk exports, up 203% to 17.1 MMT, as the expanded Trans Mountain pipeline and Westridge terminal unlocked new markets across Asia for Canadian petroleum products. Petroleum exports through the port almost quadrupled to 15 MMT in 2024, while canola oil exports almost doubled to 0.9 MMT.
Near-record exports of Canadian grain, up 1% to 29 MMT, as port operators and favourable weather meant Canadian farmers were able to serve strong international demand for their crops. Fertilizer (down 4% to 12 MMT) and coal (down 2% to 42 MMT) exports remained stable.
A record of almost 470,000 vehicles were handled by auto terminals in 2024, as imports through the port helped meet strong Canadian consumer demand for new vehicles. Nearly 100% of Canada's Asian-manufactured vehicle imports arrive via the Port of Vancouver, with recent work to optimize the Annacis Auto Terminal increasing capacity by one-third and ensuring the port is well-placed to handle market growth.
Container trade recovered throughout 2024, with the Port of Vancouver returning to pre-pandemic growth trends following several tumultuous years that included a pandemic-era surge in consumer demand and numerous supply chain disruptions. The port's four container terminals handled 3.47 million 20-foot equivalent units (or TEUs) in 2024-up 11% compared to 2023 and 2% compared to 2019.
Imports (laden inbound) grew 14%, as retailers restocked inventories and volumes shifted to the west coast due to disruptions to the Red Sea trade route. Exports (laden outbound) grew 5% as Canadian businesses continued to rely on containers to ship their goods to markets across the globe. Containerized exports through the port went to 128 different countries in 2024.
Source: Vancouver Fraser Port Authority