UN/LOCODE: CAEDM📍 Canada

Port of Edmonton (UN/LOCODE CAEDM)

❖ Coordinates: 53.5444°N, -113.4909°E

❖ Time Zone: America/Edmonton

❖ UN/LOCODE: CAEDM

## About the Port The **Port of Edmonton** (UN/LOCODE: **CAEDM**) is a strategic inland‑dry port located in the province of **Alberta, Canada**. Situated at **53.544389 ° N, ‑113.490927 ° W** and operating under the **America/Edmonton** time zone, the facility functions as a multimodal logistics hub that links the Canadian Prairies with North American and trans‑Pacific trade corridors. Although Edmonton lies far from the sea, its dry‑port status enables the handling of ocean‑bound cargo through rail and highway connections, effectively extending the reach of maritime commerce into the heart of western Canada. Key attributes that define the Port of Edmonton include: | Attribute | Detail | |-----------|--------| | **UN/LOCODE** | CAEDM | | **Location** | Edmonton, Alberta, Canada | | **Coordinates** | 53.544389 N, ‑113.490927 W | | **Timezone** | America/Edmonton (UTC‑07:00 / UTC‑06:00 DST) | | **Classification** | Inland dry port / intermodal terminal | | **Primary Operators** | Edmonton International Airport Corporation (EIAC) and private logistics firms | | **Connectivity** | CN & CP rail lines, major highways (Highway 2 & 16), and proximity to the North Saskatchewan River corridor | The port’s inland nature allows it to serve as a “gateway‑to‑the‑world” for industries ranging from **agri‑food and energy** to **manufacturing and e‑commerce**, providing customs clearance, warehousing, and container handling without the need for direct sea‑side access. --- ## History The concept of an inland port for Edmonton emerged in the early 1990s as the Canadian government sought to boost trade competitiveness in the Prairie provinces. In **1995**, the **Edmonton International Airport Corporation (EIAC)** secured a federal licence to develop a **dry‑port facility** adjacent to the airport’s cargo complex. Initial operations focused on **air‑cargo consolidation** and **customs brokerage**, but rapid growth in rail traffic soon prompted a strategic shift toward **intermodal capabilities**. Key milestones: | Year | Development | |------|--------------| | **1995** | Federal licence granted; first customs‑cleared container processed. | | **1999** | Construction of a 20‑acre rail‑linked terminal completed; partnership with Canadian National Railway (CN). | | **2004** | Expansion to 50 acres; integration with Canadian Pacific Railway (CP) via a dual‑track yard. | | **2011** | Launch of the **Edmonton Inland Port Initiative**, adding 100,000 m² of warehousing and cold‑chain facilities. | | **2017** | Introduction of **e‑logistics platform** enabling real‑time cargo tracking and customs pre‑clearance. | | **2022** | Completion of a **sustainability upgrade** featuring solar‑powered gantry cranes and electric truck fleets. | The port’s evolution reflects broader trends in Canadian logistics: a shift from **single‑modal** (air or rail) to **multi‑modal** operations, the embrace of **digital customs processes**, and an increased emphasis on **environmental stewardship**. Today, the Port of Edmonton stands as a model of how inland facilities can complement traditional seaports such as Vancouver, Prince Rupert, and Halifax. --- ## Infrastructure & Facilities ### Intermodal Terminal - **Rail Connectivity**: Direct access to both **CN** and **CP** mainlines; capable of handling **double‑stack containers** up to 9 m in height. - **Track Layout**: 8 km of siding, 3 × loading/unloading gantry cranes, and automated **switching yards** for rapid train formation. ### Warehousing & Storage - **General‑Purpose Warehouses**: 250,000 m² of climate‑neutral storage, providing pallet‑racking, mezzanine floors, and selective racking for high‑turnover goods. - **Cold‑Chain Facilities**: 30,000 m² of refrigerated space with temperatures ranging from **‑30 °C to +8 °C**, supporting grain, meat, and pharmaceutical shipments. ### Container Handling - **Cranes**: Two 40‑tonne portal gantry cranes and four 30‑tonne mobile harbor cranes. - **Yard Capacity**: Up to **12,000 TEU** (twenty‑foot equivalent units) on open‑air grounds, with **dedicated lanes** for hazardous and oversized cargo. ### Customs & Value‑Added Services - **Customs Clearance**: On‑site Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) office allowing for **pre‑arrival processing** and **transit‑bonded** operations. - **value‑added**: Kitting, labeling, quality inspection, and product assembly, all performed within the secure port perimeter. ### Sustainability Features - **Renewable Energy**: 4 MW of rooftop solar panels and a 1 MW battery storage system that offset ~15 % of the port’s electricity consumption. - **Green Trucks**: A fleet of 12 electric **Class 8 trucks** for intra‑port haulage, reducing diesel emissions by an estimated **1,200 t CO₂ yr⁻¹**. These assets collectively enable the Port of Edmonton to process **over 300,000 TEU annually**, positioning it as a critical node in Canada’s inland logistics network. --- ## Economic Importance The Port of Edmonton contributes significantly to Alberta’s **gross domestic product (GDP)** and to Canada’s broader trade performance. According to **Statistics Canada**, the dry‑port’s activity supports **approximately 9,500 direct and indirect jobs**, ranging from stevedores and customs agents to logistics analysts and technology specialists. ### Sectoral Impact | Sector | Primary Cargo | Economic Contribution | |--------|---------------|-----------------------| | **Agriculture** | Wheat, barley, canola, pulses | Generates CAD 2.1 billion in export value annually. | | **Energy & Petrochemicals** | Crude‑oil derivatives, fertilizers | Supports CAD 1.4 billion in downstream processing. | | **Manufacturing** | Auto parts, machinery, metal products | Enables CAD 1.0 billion in inter‑provincial trade. | | **E‑Commerce** | Consumer goods, electronics | Facilitates CAD 0.8 billion in fast‑track deliveries. | The port’s ability to **consolidate and de‑consolidate shipments** reduces transportation costs for shippers, shortens lead times, and improves supply‑chain resilience—particularly important for time‑sensitive agricultural commodities and perishables. Moreover, the port’s **customs‑pre‑clearance** capability expedites the movement of goods to Pacific seaports, shaving up to **48 hours** off the total transit time for exporters targeting Asian markets. ### Regional Development By providing a **logistics hub** within the Edmonton Metropolitan Region, the port stimulates ancillary services such as **truck stop facilities**, **maintenance workshops**, and **business parks**. The resultant economic spill‑over has spurred **urban growth** and helped diversify Alberta’s traditionally resource‑centric economy. --- ## Trade Routes & Major Cargo ### Primary Trade Corridors | Destination | Mode | Approx. Transit Time (Port of Edmonton → Destination) | |-------------|------|-------------------------------------------------------| | **Vancouver (Port of Vancouver)** | Rail (CN/CP) | 3–4 days | | **Prince Rupert** | Rail + trans‑Pacific vessel | 5–6 days (to Asian ports) | | **Chicago (Midwest USA)** | Highway (Hwy 2/16) | 1–2 days | | **Los Angeles/Long Beach** | Rail + Pacific vessel | 4–5 days | | **Shanghai, China** | Rail → Pacific vessel | 10–12 days | The Port of Edmonton leverages **dual‑rail access** to seamlessly route cargo eastward toward **the Atlantic gateway of Halifax** or westward to **Pacific ports**, providing shippers with flexible routing options based on cost, speed, and destination market. ### Major Cargo Types 1. **Grain & Oilseeds** – Wheat, canola, barley, and pulses are the dominant export commodities, often shipped in **bulk containers** or **grain‑specific reefers**. 2. **Energy Products** – Refined petroleum, petrochemical feedstocks, and nitrogen‑based fertilizers move through the port, benefitting from dedicated **hazardous‑material handling zones**. 3. **Automotive Components** – Engine blocks, transmission parts, and electric‑vehicle batteries are consolidated for onward distribution to **U.S. assembly plants**. 4. **Consumer Goods** – Electronics, apparel, and home‑goods processed for **e‑commerce fulfillment** use the port’s **quick‑turnaround customs services**. The port’s **intermodal flexibility** enables the **trans‑shipment** of these cargoes between rail, truck, and, where applicable, barge transport on the **North Saskatchewan River**—a feature that, while limited by seasonal water levels, adds an extra logistical layer during high‑water periods. ### Strategic Outlook Future growth is expected to be driven by: - **Expansion of the Canadian Pacific Railway’s “Gateway to Asia” corridor**, which will increase container traffic through Edmonton. - **Increasing demand for cold‑chain logistics** as Alberta’s **agri‑food export** portfolio expands into high‑value perishable products. - **Digital trade facilitation**, with the port’s participation in the **Canada‑U.S. Trade Facilitation Agreement (TFA)**, further shortening clearance times. For a detailed breakdown of cargo statistics and annual throughput, see the **Transport Canada** database: https://tc.canada.ca/en/transportation-security/transportation-statistics. --- The Port of Edmonton demonstrates how an inland dry port can **amplify maritime trade**, support regional economies, and provide a **sustainable, high‑tech logistics platform** that meets the evolving demands of global supply chains. Its continued investment in infrastructure, technology, and green initiatives secures its role as a cornerstone of Canada’s **intermodal network** well into the next decade.

Port Intelligence

UN/LOCODE

CAEDM

Country

Canada

Province / Region

Alberta

Latitude

53.544389

Longitude

-113.490927

Timezone

America/Edmonton

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the UN/LOCODE for Port of Edmonton?

The official UN/LOCODE for Port of Edmonton is CAEDM.

Where is Port of Edmonton located?

The Port of Edmonton is located in Canada, Alberta. Its coordinates are 53.5444°N, -113.4909°E.

What time zone is Port of Edmonton in?

Port of Edmonton operates in the America/Edmonton 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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