Oil, Grains Boost Exports at Port of Vancouver

---

Written by Daniel Graeber for IIR Energy Intelligence (Sugar Land, Texas)

---

Summary

Vancouver said it saw a record number of cargo ships sending various goods across the globe last year. Amid tariff disputes, Canada is working to double the amount of non-U.S. trade.

Port Beat Records Set in 2024

Port authorities in Vancouver said a record amount of cargo flowed through its terminals last year, backed in part by crude oil from the expanded Trans Mountain pipeline to British Columbia.

The Port of Vancouver reported record volumes last year, with exports of crude oil, grain and potash leading the way. About 187.8 million tons of cargo departed last year, an 8% increase from the previous record set in 2024.

Peter Xotta, the president of the port authority, said record exports support Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney's efforts to double non-U.S. trade in the next decade.

"I want to recognize the entire port community for stepping up to support Canadians and their businesses during what are very challenging times for our country--we are stronger together," he said Tuesday.

Bilateral ties with the U.S., Canada's largest trading partner, have soured considerably since Donald Trump returned to the U.S. presidency for a second, non-consecutive term. A protectionist trade policy and annexation hints against Canada, a NATO ally, have prompted Canadians to seek foreign trade partnerships, while at the same time boycotting U.S. travel and U.S. goods.

Vancouver is Canada's largest port, moving more cargo than the next five-largest ports combined. All the top trading destinations are in Asia, with China accounting for 36% of total international volumes.

Crude oil exports doubled to 174 million barrels annually as Trans Mountain allowed Canadian oil to reach markets from China to South Korea. The network currently is the only one capable of delivering Canadian crude oil outside of North America. An expansion project completed in May 2024 nearly tripled the capacity on the pipeline system to a total of 890,000 barrels per day (BBL/d).

Subscribers to Industrial Info's Global Market Intelligence (GMI) Oil & Gas Project and Plant databases can learn more about Trans Mountain--including capacities, investment values and necessary equipment--from a detailed project report.

The provincial government of Alberta, meanwhile, is throwing its financial weight behind the Northwest Coast Oil Pipeline, which could complement Trans Mountain. It already includes Calgary-based energy companies Enbridge, Trans Mountain and South Bow on its advisory committee, though the project largely exists currently as an idea on paper.

By the Numbers

• 8% year-on-year increase in cargo deliveries
• 21% increase in just fertilizers

LNG, Grains and Fertilizer

In natural gas markets, the port saw bunkering operations for liquefied natural gas (LNG) begin last year, with nearly 40 ships refueling there. The port at Kitimat, British Columbia, started exports of LNG last year from the LNG Canada facility, and a handful of others are in the works.

Canada is both a net natural gas exporter to the U.S. and the lead supplier of foreign oil to U.S. refineries. Even with trade diversification efforts, Canada accounts for about 60%, or 4 million BBL/d, of foreign oil deliveries to the U.S. market.

Elsewhere, exports of fertilizer, a product that depends in part on fossil fuels and petrochemicals, were up 21% from 2024 levels. Potash exports alone topped 10 million tons last year, beating the previous record set in 2020. Main destinations ranged from China to Brazil.

Industrial Info is tracking more than 40 projects tied to agricultural chemicals and petrochemicals in Western Canada. Subscribers can learn more from a detailed list of project reports.

Supported by wheat, the port delivered more than 30 million metric tons of grain last year, up 20% from the previous record in 2024.

"Wheat grown in Western Canada was delivered to 35 countries last year, including communities throughout the Indo-Pacific, Europe, Central America and Middle East regions," the port authority stated.

Key Takeaways

• Vancouver port supports trade diversity
• Grains, petchems and crude oil posted records

---

About IIR News Intelligence
IIR News Intelligence is a trusted source of news for the industrial process and energy markets, powered by Industrial Info Resources' Global Market Intelligence (GMI).

About Industrial Info Resources
Industrial Info Resources (IIR News Intelligence) is the leading provider of industrial market intelligence. Since 1983, IIR has provided comprehensive research, news and analysis on the industrial process, manufacturing and energy related industries. IIR's Global Market Intelligence (GMI) helps companies identify and pursue trends across multiple markets with access to real, qualified and validated plant and project opportunities. Across the world, IIR is tracking more than 250,000 current and future projects worth $30.2 trillion (USD).