The CA Prefix and Three-Letter Code
Canadian UN/LOCODEs use the country prefix CA followed by a three-character location identifier. Examples in the database include CAVAN for Vancouver, CAMTL for Montreal and CAHFX for Halifax.
Seaports in Canada: Port Codes, Throughput & Regional Guide (2026)
Canada has 375 ports and terminals indexed in the Ecer Freight database, supporting Pacific, Atlantic, Great Lakes and St. Lawrence trade.
Review Canadian port codes, major gateways, regional cargo roles and current trade-lane guidance for 2026 planning.
Canada Port Overview
Canada’s maritime network connects Pacific gateways on the west coast, Atlantic gateways in the east, and inland waterborne markets through the Great Lakes–St. Lawrence system. Indexed coverage includes both ocean ports and commercially relevant terminals; it should not be confused with a global container-port ranking.
375
Canada ports & terminals indexed in our database
Ecer Freight database · Oct 2026
158.5M t
Port of Vancouver cargo handled, 2024; latest published annual total
Vancouver Fraser Port Authority 2024
3.52M TEU
Port of Vancouver container throughput, 2024; YoY change reported as −0.9%
Vancouver Fraser Port Authority 2024
35.5M t
Port of Montreal cargo handled, 2024; annual total
Port of Montreal 2024
How many seaports does Canada have?
Canada has 375 seaports and terminals indexed by Ecer Freight in the October 2026 database snapshot. This first-party count includes port and terminal records and is not a claim about every navigable facility in Canada.
What is Canada’s largest container gateway?
Vancouver (UN/LOCODE CAVAN) is generally Canada’s largest container gateway by annual container throughput, with Pacific access to Asian services and inland rail connections.
Which regions handle most Canadian sea freight?
The Pacific gateway around Vancouver and Prince Rupert, the St. Lawrence corridor around Montreal, and the Atlantic gateway around Halifax are the principal deep-sea freight regions.
Top Canadian Ports by Container and Freight Activity
The table below combines publicly reported 2025 container indicators where available with a practical gateway view. World rank refers to the global container-port league-table position and is separate from Ecer Freight’s 375-record indexed coverage.
Selected Canadian gateways and 2025 container throughput
| World rank | Port | UN-LOCODE | 2025 throughput (M TEU) | YoY change | Region |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| — | Vancouver | CAVAN | — | — | Pacific Coast |
| — | Montreal | CAMTL | — | — | St. Lawrence |
| — | Prince Rupert | CAPRR | — | — | Pacific Coast |
| — | Halifax | CAHFX | — | — | Atlantic Coast |
| — | Toronto | CATOR | — | — | Great Lakes |
| — | Hamilton Ca | CAHAM | — | — | Great Lakes |
Canadian Port Regions and Cargo Roles
Canada’s port geography is shaped by long Pacific and Atlantic coastlines, the St. Lawrence Seaway and the Great Lakes. City and province fields below follow the values held in the Ecer Freight port sample.
Pacific Coast Gateway
Pacific ports generally serve transpacific container, bulk and project-cargo flows, with Vancouver and Prince Rupert providing the principal international gateway functions.
Pacific Coast ports
| Port | UN-LOCODE | City / Province | Main cargo role |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vancouver | CAVAN | Vancouver / — | Containers, bulk commodities and automobiles |
| Prince Rupert | CAPRR | Prince Rupert / — | Transpacific containers, grain and bulk cargo |
| Nanaimo | CANNO | Nanaimo / — | Breakbulk, forest products and regional cargo |
| Victoria | CAVIC | Victoria / — | Regional marine supply and general cargo |
St. Lawrence and Quebec Corridor
The St. Lawrence corridor links ocean services with inland Canadian and US markets and supports containers, grain, forest products, metals and project cargo.
St. Lawrence and Quebec ports
| Port | UN-LOCODE | City / Province | Main cargo role |
|---|---|---|---|
| Montreal | CAMTL | Montreal / — | Containers, consumer goods and project cargo |
| Montreal | CAMTR | Montreal / — | Montreal-area terminal and logistics activity |
| Quebec | CAQUE | Quebec / — | Bulk, forest products and general cargo |
| Becancour | CABEC | Becancour / — | Industrial, bulk and project cargo |
| Baie Comeau | CABCO | Baie Comeau / — | Forest products, grain and bulk cargo |
| Pointe Noire | CAPNR | Sept-iles / — | Iron ore and dry bulk shipments |
Great Lakes and Inland Industrial Cluster
Great Lakes ports serve domestic and cross-border supply chains, steel, aggregates, grain, energy products and other industrial cargoes. Ocean access is subject to Seaway and seasonal operating conditions.
Great Lakes and inland-linked ports
| Port | UN-LOCODE | City / Province | Main cargo role |
|---|---|---|---|
| Toronto | CATOR | Toronto / — | General cargo, aggregates and regional distribution |
| Hamilton Ca | CAHAM | Hamilton Ca / — | Steel, dry bulk and industrial cargo |
| Windsor | CAWND | Windsor / — | Automotive, industrial and cross-border cargo |
| Oshawa | CAOSH | Oshawa / — | Automotive, project and general cargo |
| Goderich | CAGOD | Goderich / — | Salt, grain and bulk commodities |
| Prescott | CAPRE | Prescott / — | Bulk and Seaway-connected cargo |
Atlantic Coast Gateway
Atlantic gateways provide access to Europe, the Mediterranean and North American coastal services, with containers, forest products, energy and general cargo among the principal flows.
Atlantic Coast ports
| Port | UN-LOCODE | City / Province | Main cargo role |
|---|---|---|---|
| Halifax | CAHFX | Halifax / — | Containers, automobiles and general cargo |
| Saint John | CASNJ | Saint John / — | Energy, containers and bulk cargo |
| Dalhousie | CADAL | Dalhousie / — | Forest products and general cargo |
| Corner Brook | CACBK | Corner Brook / — | Forest products and regional cargo |
| Churchill | CACHV | Churchill / — | Seasonal grain and northern supply cargo |
Canada Port Codes and UN/LOCODEs
City-Level and Terminal-Level Records
A city may have more than one record or operational location. Montreal, Vancouver, Halifax and Winnipeg appear in multiple database records, so the exact code should be matched to the carrier, terminal and shipping instruction.
How to Verify a Code
Check the UNECE UN/LOCODE directory, compare the result with the Ecer Freight port index, and confirm the terminal code with the ocean carrier before booking.
Shipping from Canada: Main Trade Lanes
Transit times are indicative port-to-port ranges. Actual schedules depend on the Canadian gateway, transshipment plan, season, carrier rotation, inland leg and cargo readiness.
Canada to East Asia
The Pacific gateways support containerized exports and imports between Canada and China, Japan, South Korea and Southeast Asia.
Canada to Northern Europe
Atlantic and St. Lawrence gateways connect Canadian cargo with Northern European hubs and onward continental distribution.
Canada to the Mediterranean
Mediterranean services commonly use Atlantic or St. Lawrence departures and may involve a European or Mediterranean transshipment hub.
Canada to the United States
Cross-border cargo moves through Pacific, Atlantic and Great Lakes gateways, with customs and inland routing affecting the final delivery time.
Sources and Methodology
The page separates first-party indexed coverage from official port statistics and global league-table data. Figures are reviewed against available annual publications and should be confirmed for live booking decisions.
- Ecer Freight Ports Database — first-party database snapshot for October 2026, containing 375 Canada port and terminal records.
- Vancouver Fraser Port Authority Statistics — official annual cargo and container statistics for the Port of Vancouver.
- Port of Montreal Statistics — official cargo and container reporting for the Montreal gateway.
- Port of Halifax Statistics — official port activity information and annual reporting where published.
- Statistics Canada Transportation Statistics — national transportation and water-transport context; definitions may differ from port-authority totals.
Canada Port FAQ
How many seaports does Canada have?
Canada has 375 seaports and terminals indexed by Ecer Freight in the October 2026 database snapshot. The indexed count is distinct from the number of navigable facilities or port authorities operating in Canada.
What is the largest port in Canada?
Vancouver, identified in the sample by UN/LOCODE CAVAN, is generally Canada’s largest container gateway by reported annual container activity. Prince Rupert (CAPRR) is another major Pacific gateway.
What are the main port codes in Canada?
Common examples include CAVAN for Vancouver, CAMTL for Montreal, CAHFX for Halifax, CAPRR for Prince Rupert, CATOR for Toronto and CASNJ for Saint John. The exact code should be confirmed against the shipping line’s terminal instructions.
Which Canadian regions are most important for ocean freight?
The Pacific Coast, St. Lawrence corridor, Great Lakes system and Atlantic Coast are the principal Canadian maritime regions. Their suitability depends on origin, destination, cargo type, inland rail and seasonal constraints.
Are Canada port statistics current for 2026?
The database coverage is a snapshot from October 2026. The latest complete statistical year used where available is 2025; some port authorities publish annual figures later, so 2024 figures may remain the latest verified public observation for selected metrics.
Can a freight forwarder quote shipping from Canada?
Yes. A quote normally requires the origin port or inland pickup, destination, commodity, volume, weight, equipment type, Incoterm, cargo-ready date and any dangerous-goods or temperature-control requirements. Rates remain subject to carrier confirmation.
Do Canadian ports operate year-round?
Many major gateways operate year-round, but ice, weather, navigation restrictions, terminal windows and seasonal service changes can affect certain routes and northern or Great Lakes locations.
Editorial note: This Canada guide combines the Ecer Freight port index with official port-authority and government transportation sources. Indexed port coverage is reviewed quarterly, while throughput and trade-lane information is updated as authoritative annual releases become available.
Ecer Freight · Seaports in Canada: Port Codes, Throughput & Regional Guide (2026) · Data reviewed quarterly · Port Codes · Ports by Country · Contact