The BC Marine Terminal Operators Association (BCMTOA) is pleased to share the release of the newly published Economic Impact of West Coast Ports Study. This comprehensive report highlights the critical role Canada’s West Coast ports and their interconnected supply chains play in driving trade, generating jobs, and fueling economic growth across the country.
Developed by InterVISTAS in partnership with the Vancouver Fraser Port Authority, Prince Rupert Port Authority, Nanaimo Port Authority, the BC Maritime Employers Association, and BCMTOA, the study paints a detailed picture of the staggering contributions these gateways make to local communities and the national economy.
The economic impact is significant. According to the study’s findings, in 2025, West Coast ports:
- Moved more than 200 million metric tonnes of cargo valued at $409 billion, which amounts to approximately $1.1 billion in goods moved every single day.
- Facilitated almost $270 billion in trade with overseas partners, representing nearly 50% of Canada’s total trade with markets outside of North America.
- Supported 152,100 jobs across Canada, generating $13 billion in annual wages and contributing nearly $25 billion to the national GDP.
These findings arrive at a pivotal moment. As Canada looks to double its exports to non-U.S. markets and further diversify its trading relationships, West Coast ports and the national supply chain will remain central to the country’s success. These marine terminals are the vital link connecting what Canadians make, mine, harvest, and grow to customers around the world—particularly across the fast-growing Indo-Pacific region.
In today’s shifting geopolitical and trade landscape, maintaining a stable, reliable, and highly functioning Pacific Gateway is critical to realizing these international opportunities while strengthening Canada’s economic resilience and global competitiveness.
Industry partners and the public are encouraged to explore the full findings, read the joint news release, and download the report’s infographic to learn more about the vital role of Canada’s West Coast gateway.
To read the complete Economic Impact of West Coast Ports Study and dive deeper into the data, please visit: