RailState, the rail industry’s only provider of real-time rail network visibility, independently tracks all freight rail movements across Canada in real-time.
This report covers freight movements into the major Canadian ports. It excludes intermodal traffic, which is covered in a separate Intermodal Report.
Western Ports
Port of Vancouver
Overall freight volume westbound to the Port of Vancouver decreased 5.0% in November compared to October, and was down 3.4% from November 2023. The decreases came from work stoppages at the western ports during the first half of November.
Grain Unit volume was mostly unchanged from October (+0.4%), and was 16.7% higher than a year ago. Most other train types decreased as a result of the work stoppage.
- Automotive: +16.7%
- Coal Unit: -4.5%
- Manifest: -4.1%
- Tank Car Unit trains: -4.4%
- Potash trains: -45.5%
- Sulphur Unit: -25.0%
CPKC’s share of total carload volume into the Port of Vancouver region decreased to 52.8% in November from 54.1% in October.
Prince Rupert
Freight volume to the Port of Prince Rupert increased 22.1% from October, and was up 16.1% from a year ago.
The change in train volumes from September included:
- Coal Unit: +32.3%
- Grain Unit: -9.8%
- Manifest: +47.8%
- Tank Car Unit trains: +45.2%
Eastern Ports
Halifax
Train volume to Halifax decreased by 5.6% in November, and was down 6.8% from last year.
- Automotive: +14.8%
- Grain Unit: +21.4%
- Manifest: -21.4%
Port of Sydney
Train volume to the Port of Sydney decreased 28.6% from October and was down 35.5% from last year.
Port of St. John
Train volume to the Port of St. John decreased by 8 trains in October (-18.6%).
Thunder Bay
Freight volume to Thunder Bay decreased 11.5% from October, and was up 6.2% from a year ago.
The decreases were largely driven by grain volume, which fell 29.2% from the prior month and was 6.3% higher than November 2023. October Grain volume was exceptionally high.
The change in train volumes from October included:
- Automotive: -11.1%
- Coal Unit: +166.7%
- Manifest: +1.9%
- Potash unit: unchanged
CPKC’s share of carload volume to the port increased to 70.9% from 68.9% in October.
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