Canada Ports Rail Volume Report: September 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
After August’s work stoppage, overall freight volume westbound to the Port of Vancouver increased 17.7% in September, and was 5.9% higher than last year.
The biggest % changes came from Grain Unit trains, which increased 35.8%. Grain volume was 1.7% higher than a year ago.
All other train types increased except for tank car unit trains.
- Automotive: +12.5%
- Coal Unit: +22.5%
- Manifest: +11.8%
- Tank Car Unit trains: -27.1%
- Potash trains: +5.4%
- Sulphur Unit: +100.0%
CPKC’s share of total carload volume into the Port of Vancouver region increased to 53.8% in September from 51.8% in August.
Prince Rupert
Freight volume to the Port of Prince Rupert increased 30.3% from August, and was up 7.6% from a year ago.
The change in train volumes from August included:
- Coal Unit: +25.9%
- Grain Unit: +104.5%
- Manifest: -8.3%
- Tank Car Unit trains: +13.9%
Eastern Ports
Halifax
Train volume to Halifax increased by 6.1% in September, driven by increased Manifest volume.
- Automotive: unchanged
- Grain Unit: -17.6%
- Manifest: +40.0%
Port of Sydney
Train volume to the Port of Sydney increased by 4 trains in September (+40.0%).
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 7 trains in September (+21.9%).
Thunder Bay
Train volume to Thunder Bay grew significantly, driven by increased grain volume.
CPKC accounted for three-quarters of the carload volume into the port.
For additional information about this report or to receive other updates from RailState, please reach out to contact@railstate.com or subscribe to our blog.
