Trans Mountain Pipeline Expansion Fuels Dramatic Surge in Vancouver Port Oil Exports
The Port of Vancouver experienced a remarkable year in 2025, handling an unprecedented 170.4 million tonnes of cargo, according to statistics released by the Vancouver Fraser Port Authority. This represents a substantial increase from the 158.4 million tonnes handled in 2024, driven by significant growth across multiple sectors.
Oil Exports Nearly Double with Pipeline Expansion
Oil shipments through the port saw the most dramatic increase, almost doubling compared to 2024 levels. This surge is directly attributed to the first full year of operation for the expanded Trans Mountain pipeline, which connects Edmonton to Burnaby and nearly triples the line's capacity.
Shipments from Trans Mountain's Westridge Marine Terminal reached 24.4 million tonnes in 2025, a staggering 95% increase from the 13.2 million tonnes recorded in 2024. This makes oil the second-largest commodity exported from the Port of Vancouver, trailing only slightly behind steelmaking coal at 24.8 million tonnes.
China Emerges as Top International Buyer
The expanded pipeline capacity has dramatically shifted Canada's oil export landscape. China has emerged as the single largest customer for Canadian oil shipped from Vancouver, purchasing 15.5 million tonnes in 2025 – representing 64% of total Westridge terminal shipments and more than 2.5 times China's 2024 imports.
"The Port of Vancouver is playing an outsized role," stated port authority CEO Peter Xotta in a news release, noting that these results align with Prime Minister Mark Carney's target to double Canada's non-U.S. exports.
Pipeline Operations and Capacity Utilization
According to figures from the Canadian Energy Regulator, the expanded Trans Mountain pipeline operated at approximately 87% of its capacity on average, transporting nearly 775,000 barrels of diluted bitumen daily. Of this total, 463,000 barrels per day (60%) were shipped from the Westridge terminal.
Changing Export Destinations and Market Expansion
The United States, previously the top buyer of Canadian oil shipped from Westridge before the pipeline expansion, has become the Port of Vancouver's second-largest customer. U.S. purchases accounted for 7.8 million tonnes of shipments in 2025, representing almost one-third of the total and marking a 22% increase from 2024 levels.
New markets have also emerged in Canada's export portfolio:
- South Korea purchased 825,000 tonnes of crude oil in 2025 (3% of port exports)
- Singapore bought 160,500 tonnes during the same period
These developments demonstrate the expanding global reach of Canadian energy exports through the Port of Vancouver.
Broader Cargo Growth and Future Outlook
Beyond oil, the port achieved new highs in several categories:
- Grain shipments reached record levels
- Potash exports showed significant increases
- Container traffic achieved new milestones
Xotta emphasized that the Port of Vancouver has additional expansion projects planned, stating these developments demonstrate "Canada is open for business" and positioning the port for continued growth in international trade.
