Port of Vancouver reports record trade volumes in first half of 2025

The Port of Vancouver says it moved record amounts of Canadian trade in the first six months of 2025, driven by surging exports of crude oil, grain, canola oil and fertilizer despite global uncertainty.

The Vancouver Fraser Port Authority reported handling more than 85 million metric tonnes of cargo between January and June, a 13 per cent increase compared with the same period in 2024. International trade volumes climbed nearly 20 per cent, offsetting declines in cruise and auto shipments from last year’s record levels.

“Canadians and their businesses depend on the Port of Vancouver to buy and sell the products they manufacture, farm, mine and stock their shelves with,” said Peter Xotta, president and CEO of the port authority. “As Canadians navigate a moment in time like no other, I want to acknowledge the port community and our supply chain partners for rising to the occasion and moving record trade volumes so far this year.”

Crude oil led the gains, rising 365 per cent to almost 12 million metric tonnes following the 2024 expansion of the Trans Mountain pipeline and terminal. Roughly 60 per cent of that volume went to China, while exports to the United States, South Korea, Singapore and Japan all surpassed their full-year 2024 totals within six months.

Canola oil exports rose 72 per cent to 700,000 metric tonnes as producers reached new overseas buyers. The number of destination markets expanded from four last year to 12 so far in 2025, including Belgium, Malaysia and Mexico.

Grain shipments increased eight per cent, marking the port’s second-highest half-year on record. Wheat was up 16 per cent and canola seed 12 per cent, with new markets such as Mexico, the Netherlands and Bangladesh offsetting the effect of Chinese tariffs. Potash exports rebounded 26 per cent, sulphur gained five per cent, while coal dipped two per cent.

“For decades, and prior to tariff threats, along with our partners we’ve been working hard to grow trade capacity to meet demand,” Xotta said. “We all win when we work together.”

The port authority said container traffic remained stable despite U.S. tariffs, with 1.88 million 20-foot equivalent units moved in the first half, the second-highest mid-year total after 2021.

“Containerized trade—like the Canadian economy—has shown remarkable strength and resilience so far this year in the face of U.S. tariffs and global uncertainty,” said Xotta.

Auto shipments eased three per cent to 241,000 units, while breakbulk cargo such as forestry products and metals fell eight per cent. Domestic shipments of logs, sand and gravel also declined.

The port, Canada’s largest, connects to more than 170 global economies and handles as much trade as the country’s next five largest ports combined.