Canada Ports Rail Volume Report: October 2024
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 increased 4.6% in October compared to September, and was unchanged from October 2023.
The biggest % changes came from Grain Unit trains, which increased 26.4%. Grain volume was 1.7% lower than a year ago.
The volume of most other train types decreased from September except for tank car unit and sulphur unit trains.
- Automotive: -66.7%
- Coal Unit: -1.9%
- Manifest: -5.6%
- Tank Car Unit trains: +28.6%
- Potash trains: -15.4%
- Sulphur Unit: +14.3%
CPKC’s share of total carload volume into the Port of Vancouver region increased to 54.1% in October from 53.8% in September.
Prince Rupert
Freight volume to the Port of Prince Rupert decreased 4.2% from September, and was down 2.9% from a year ago.
The change in train volumes from September included:
- Coal Unit: -8.8%
- Grain Unit: +13.3%
- Manifest: +4.5%
- Tank Car Unit trains: -24.4%
Eastern Ports
Halifax
Train volume to Halifax increased by 2.9% in October, driven by increased Manifest volume.
- Automotive: +14.8%
- Grain Unit: +21.4%
- Manifest: -21.4%
Port of Sydney
Train volume to the Port of Sydney was twice the level of train volume in September. Compared to October 2023, volume was down slightly, -6.7%.
Port of St. John
RailState recently added coverage for the Port of St. John, which sees all manifest volume. Train volume to the Port of St. John increased by 4 trains in October (+10.3%).
Thunder Bay
Freight volume to Thunder Bay increased 25.2% from September, and was up 30.8% from a year ago.
The increases were largely driven by grain volume, which increased 43.3% from the prior month and was 57.4% higher than October 2023.
The change in train volumes from September included:
- Automotive: -35.7%
- Coal Unit: +50.0%
- Manifest: +26.2%
- Potash unit: -7.1%
CPKC’s share of carload volume to the port dropped to 68.9% from 75.4% in September.
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