Port Expansion Provides New Opportunities for Pacific Gateway Connectivity

Located on Canada’s West Coast, British Columbia (B.C.) connects the Asia-Pacific region with North America, providing easy, fast and reliable access to world markets with its extensive seaport network.

The Port of Nanaimo  is strategically linked to B.C.’s Lower Mainland, located just 33 nautical miles from Vancouver—the key transportation and shipping hub for Western Canada—and only 25 nautical miles from the Fraser River. As Vancouver Island’s largest port, the Port of Nanaimo serves a population of over 933,000 and facilitates the shipment of 19 different products to 25 ports across 14 countries. The Duke Point container and breakbulk terminal, operated by DP World, adds operational versatility, supporting both short sea shipping and international vessel activity. The port features sheltered, deep-water berths that ensure safe and efficient vessel access year-round, without seasonal constraints. With available berth space, yard capacity and a range of handling equipment, the Port of Nanaimo can support up to 45,000 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) of container, automobile, breakbulk and liquid bulk .

The Solutions Port for Growing Global Markets

On April 4, 2025, the Port of Nanaimo, DP World and their partners celebrated the Duke Point phase 2/3 terminal expansion groundbreaking ceremony, commencing the start of new opportunities for the Port’s capabilities. The project was funded by public and private investments, including $46.2 million from the federal government’s National Trade Corridors Fund (NTCF) and $15 million from the Province of British Columbia under the Regional Port Enhancement .” Once complete, the Port will:

• Expand capacity to 280,000 TEUs
• Increase warehousing capacity and distribution capability on Vancouver Island improving local access to food, medical supplies, construction and consumer goods.
• Increase short sea shipping efficiency and capacity offering container and goods surge capacity protections.
• Reduce vessel wait times between terminals and reduce local marine traffic congestion.
• Provide a 20% increase to the pacific gateway’s goods handling capacity.
• The existing diesel-powered quay crane is being replaced with two new fully electric .

Once complete, the expansion will create cooperative solutions to current operating constraints in the shipping supply chain. The increased berth length to 325 metres and container storage capacity will enable the terminal to serve larger international vessels, provide improved services for importers and exporters, and facilitate smoother regional and international trade.

Vehicle Processing Centre

The Port of Nanaimo offers a west coast access point for vehicles from Japan for the Canadian market and is one of three ports of entries within Canada for pure roll on-roll off services. Operating since 2019, with stevedoring services provided by SSA Marine, the BC Vehicle Processing Centre (BCVPC) continues to process and distribute over $500 million in vehicles from Japan for the Canadian market per year. With the federal pause of the Incentives for Zero-Emission Vehicles (iZEV) program and shifting trade dynamics between major markets, there are changes in both product mix and origin. These evolving conditions present new opportunities for Canadian ports to support emerging trade and growth in previously untapped markets.

Connect

The Port of Nanaimo is your trusted solutions provider for local, national and international shipping needs. For more information please contact Jason Michell, Vice president Business Development at [email protected]

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