Shippers in North America have been working hard to try to mitigate the effect of U.S. President Donald Trump’s tariffs.
Despite the increased cost of tariffs, the Port of Prince Rupert has seen an increase in exports due to its proximity to many key trade ports.
In June, the port saw a 24 per cent growth in volume as compared to the same period in 2024, while July saw a 23 per cent increase.
Prince Rupert Port Authority senior communications officer, Olivia Mowatt said the tariffs likely played a role in the increase.
“In anticipation of tariffs, many shippers in North America have been trying to mitigate the additional cost burden by expediting shipments of goods from Asia, which has contributed to June and July container volumes at double-digit increases. Despite the tariff pressures, the Port of Prince Rupert is continuing to see strong demand for bulk exports, highlighting our gateway’s vital role in growing and diversifying Canadian trade.”
The Port of Prince Rupert is the preferred destination for many shippers due to its proximity to Asia.
The Port of Prince Rupert is 36 hours closer to Shanghai than Seattle and over 68 hours closer than Los Angeles.
The port is sharing its success with the community by investing in environmental projects, said Mowatt.
“$3 billion in infrastructure expansion is currently taking place at the Port of Prince Rupert and many components of these projects are focused on supporting sustainable growth. At the Prince Rupert Port Authority, we are leading numerous initiatives aimed at reducing the impacts of port activity on the environment, while simultaneously exploring ways to create greater efficiencies that support sustainable operations.”
