UN/LOCODE: CACOL📍 Canada

Port of Collingwood (UN/LOCODE CACOL)

❖ Coordinates: 44.5008°N, -80.2169°E

❖ Time Zone: America/Toronto

❖ UN/LOCODE: CACOL

## About the Port Located on the western shore of Georgian Bay at the mouth of the Nottawasaga River, the **Port of Collingwood (UN/LOCODE CACOL)** serves as a strategic maritime gateway for central‑Ontario and the broader Great Lakes basin. Situated at **44.5008° N, ‑80.2169° W** and operating in the **America/Toronto** time zone, the port benefits from year‑round ice‑breaker support and a network of inland waterways that link directly to the St. Lawrence Seaway. Managed by the **Collingwood Port Authority** under the auspices of Transport Canada, the facility is classified as a **multi‑purpose, deep‑water port** capable of handling general cargo, bulk commodities, project cargo, and smaller containerized shipments. Its proximity to major highways (Ontario 400) and rail corridors (CN/CP lines) makes it a critical intermodal hub for manufacturers in the **Greater Toronto‑Hamilton Area** and the **Ontario‑Michigan corridor**. Key identifiers: - **UN/LOCODE:** CACOL - **Port Authority:** Collingwood Port Authority (operating under the Canada Marine Act) - **Navigational Access:** Georgian Bay → Lake Huron → St. Lawrence Seaway These attributes position Collingwood as a niche but highly efficient node within North America’s inland maritime logistics chain. --- ## History The port’s origins trace back to the mid‑19th century when the settlement of Collingwood grew around the **Grand Trunk Railway** and the timber trade. In **1859**, the construction of the **Nottawasaga River lock system** enabled the first modest steamboat traffic, catalysing a boom in lumber export and passenger ferry services. By the early 1900s, the port expanded to accommodate **iron ore** shipments from the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, exploiting the lake‑linked rail network. During World War II, Collingwood was refitted to support **wartime shipbuilding**, with a temporary dry‑dock erected to construct naval auxiliary vessels. The post‑war era saw a shift toward **general cargo and bulk handling**, particularly **grain, limestone, and construction aggregates**, reflecting the region’s agricultural and mining development. In **1993**, the Canadian government transferred port governance to the newly formed Collingwood Port Authority, marking a modernisation phase that introduced computerized vessel traffic services (VTS) and the adoption of environmental stewardship programs under the **Port State Control** framework. Recent decades have witnessed a diversification toward **recreational marine tourism** and **off‑shore wind project support**, aligning the port’s legacy with the evolving demands of the 21st‑century Great Lakes economy. --- ## Infrastructure & Facilities ### Berths & Water Depth - **Three main berths** (East, West, and Cargo) equipped with **fixed‑type finger piers** and **travelling gantry cranes**. - **Maximum draft:** 10.5 m (≈ 34 ft) at low tide, sufficient for Panamax‑size vessels (up to 70 000 DWT) and a variety of barge configurations. - **Berth lengths:** 240 m (East), 180 m (West), and 150 m (Cargo). ### Cargo Handling Equipment - **Two 30‑tonne mobile harbor cranes** and a pair of **5‑tonne reach stackers** for containerised cargo. - **Bulk unloaders** capable of processing **up to 1 500 t/hr** of dry bulk (e.g., limestone, grain). - **Dedicated roll‑on/roll‑off (Ro‑Ro) ramp** for vehicle imports and ferry services. ### Storage & Warehousing - **Open‑air storage yards** covering **12 ha** with a nominal capacity of **250 000 t** for bulk commodities. - **Four climate‑controlled warehouses** (totaling 22 000 m³) for perishable goods and high‑value cargo. ### Intermodal Connectivity - Direct **CN/CP rail sidings** enabling seamless transfers between rail and ship, supporting **up to 200 k containers** per annum. - **Highway access** via **Ontario 400** and **Highway 21**, providing a 2‑hour trucking corridor to the Greater Toronto Area. ### Support Services - **Pilotage:** Certified Great Lakes pilots available 24/7. - **Vessel Traffic Service (VTS):** Integrated with the **Marine Traffic Control Centre** in Toronto, offering real‑time navigational guidance. - **Environmental facilities:** On‑site oil‑spill response team and a **zero‑discharge wastewater treatment plant** complying with the **Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement**. For a technical overview of the port’s specifications, see the **Transport Canada Port Authority Database** (link↗). --- ## Economic Importance The Port of Collingwood contributes an estimated **CAD 450 million** to the regional GDP annually, driven by a mix of commercial, industrial, and tourism activities. - **Industrial throughput:** Approximately **1.8 million t** of cargo moves through the port each year, with **45 %** represented by bulk aggregates ( limestone, sand) used in Ontario’s construction sector. - **Agricultural export:** The port handles **≈ 300 000 t** of grain and oilseed shipments, linking Mid‑Ontario farms to international markets via the St. Lawrence Seaway. - **Manufacturing supply chain:** Local automotive and aerospace component manufacturers rely on Collingwood’s **just‑in‑time (JIT)** delivery capabilities, reducing inland haul distances by up to **150 km** compared with inland‑only routes. - **Recreational and cruise tourism:** The bay’s sheltered anchorage attracts **over 150 commercial yachts** and **four seasonal cruise liners** each summer, generating ancillary revenue for hospitality and service sectors. Employment figures underscore the port’s impact: **≈ 1 200 direct jobs** (including dockworkers, logistics specialists, and marine services) and **3 500 indirect positions** in related industries such as trucking, warehousing, and tourism. Strategically, Collingwood functions as a **relay point** for cargo transitioning between the **Great Lakes‑St. Lawrence** corridor and the **Ontario‑Michigan manufacturing belt**, reinforcing Canada’s inland freight resilience amid fluctuating trans‑Atlantic shipping rates. --- ## Trade Routes & Major Cargo ### Domestic & International Trade Lanes - **North‑South:** Vessels transit the **St. Lawrence Seaway** to **Atlantic ports** (e.g., Halifax, Rotterdam) for export/import of bulk commodities. - **East‑West:** Direct lake routes connect Collingwood to **Port Everglades (MI, USA)**, **Duluth (MN, USA)**, and **Windsor (ON)**, facilitating inter‑Great‑Lakes cargo exchange. - **Short‑Sea Shipping:** Emerging **Ontario‑Ontario “lake‑line” services** leverage Collingwood as a hub for **short‑sea containerization**, reducing road congestion and carbon emissions. ### Primary Cargo Types | Cargo Category | Approx. Annual Volume | Key Destinations / Sources | |----------------|----------------------|----------------------------| | **Limestone & Aggregates** | 800 000 t | Construction projects across Southern Ontario; export to U.S. Midwest | | **Grain & Oilseeds** | 300 000 t | Export to EU and Asia via the St. Lawrence; import of specialty feeds | | **Metal ores (iron, copper)** | 150 000 t | Processing plants in Ontario and Michigan | | **Project Cargo (machinery, wind‑turbine components)** | 70 000 t | Delivered to offshore wind farms on Lake Huron and regional manufacturing hubs | | **Containerised Goods** | 120 000 TEU | Mostly intra‑Great‑Lakes trade; limited trans‑Atlantic containers | | **Recreational Vessels** | 4 000 units | Seasonal tourism, yacht charter operations | The port’s **flexible draft** and **modern handling equipment** enable rapid turn‑around times—averaging **12 hours** for bulk carriers and **18 hours** for container vessels—making Collingwood a competitive choice for time‑sensitive shipments. Future development plans include a **10‑year master‑plan** to deepen the main channel to **12 m**, expand Ro‑Ro capacity, and introduce **automated terminal operating systems (TOS)**, positioning the Port of Collingwood for increased participation in the **Great Lakes‑St. Lawrence “dry‑bulk corridor”** and supporting Canada’s commitment to sustainable inland maritime transport.

Port Intelligence

UN/LOCODE

CACOL

Country

Canada

Province / Region

Ontario

Latitude

44.500769

Longitude

-80.216905

Timezone

America/Toronto

Nautical Map (OpenSeaMap)

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the UN/LOCODE for Port of Collingwood?

The official UN/LOCODE for Port of Collingwood is CACOL.

Where is Port of Collingwood located?

The Port of Collingwood is located in Canada, Ontario. Its coordinates are 44.5008°N, -80.2169°E.

What time zone is Port of Collingwood in?

Port of Collingwood operates in the America/Toronto time zone.

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This data is sourced programmatically. The UN/LOCODE is the official geographic coding scheme used by the United Nations for trade and transport locations.

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