UN/LOCODE: CAPRR📍 Canada
Port of Prince Rupert (UN/LOCODE CAPRR)
❖ Coordinates: 54.3150°N, -130.3208°E
❖ Time Zone: America/Vancouver
❖ UN/LOCODE: CAPRR
## About the Port
Located on the far‑northwest coast of British Columbia, the Port of Prince Rupert (UN/LOCODE: **CAPRR**) is Canada’s westernmost deep‑water gateway. Sitting at **54.3150367° N, -130.3208187° W** and operating on **America/Vancouver (UTC‑08:00)** time, the port enjoys a natural, ice‑free harbor that can accommodate the world’s largest container vessels year‑round. Its strategic position on the Pacific rim places it within 7,500 nautical miles of major Asian markets while remaining a direct link to the Canadian rail‑grid via the Canadian National Railway (CN) and the Canadian Pacific Kansas City (CPKC).
Key attributes that define Prince Rupert’s maritime profile include:
- **Depth & Draught:** A permanent depth of 15.8 m (52 ft) at the main berth, enabling Panamax and post‑Panamax ships to dock without tide restrictions.
- **Geographical Advantage:** The shortest trans‑Pacific sailing route between Asia and North America, shaving up to three days off voyages compared with Vancouver or Los Angeles.
- **Multimodal Connectivity:** Integrated rail, highway (Highway 99), and intermodal facilities that move cargo directly onto the North American hinterland.
The port is administered by the **Prince Rupert Port Authority**, a federally‑mandated corporation that reports to Transport Canada. For more detailed operational data, see the authority’s official site【https://www.prince‑rupert.ca】.
---
## History
### Early Development (1900‑1930)
The natural harbour was first charted by British explorers in the late 18th century, but commercial development began in the early 1900s when the Grand Trunk Pacific Railway (now CN) extended its line to the coast. The town of Prince Rupert was deliberately founded in 1910 as a terminus for the railway, envisaging a “gateway to the Pacific” that could rival Vancouver.
### World War II Expansion (1939‑1945)
During the Second World War, the port’s deep water was repurposed for naval logistics, supporting Pacific Fleet operations and Allied convoys. Temporary piers and repair facilities were built, laying the groundwork for post‑war commercial upgrades.
### Containerization Era (1960‑1990)
The 1960s saw the introduction of mechanized cargo handling. In 1970, the **Prince Rupert Container Terminal** opened, becoming one of the first container‑capable terminals on Canada’s west coast. Subsequent investments in gantry cranes, reach stackers, and automated guided vehicles (AGVs) positioned the port for the global surge in container traffic of the 1980s.
### 21st‑Century Modernization (2000‑Present)
A series of capital projects—most notably the **2005‑2008 Deep‑Draught Expansion** and the **2017‑2020 Terminal 2 Upgrade**—have increased annual capacity to over **4.2 million TEU**. These improvements, paired with the implementation of the **Port Community System (PCS)** for real‑time data exchange, have cemented Prince Rupert’s role as a leading “digital port” in North America.
---
## Infrastructure & Facilities
### Terminal Layout
- **Terminal 1 (Main Container Terminal):** 2,800 m of quay length, equipped with four super‑post‑Panamax ship‑to‑shore (STS) gantry cranes (each with 22 m outreach) and a fleet of 18 rubber‑tired gantry (RTG) cranes.
- **Terminal 2 (Specialized Cargo):** Dedicated berths for bulk, break‑bulk, and project cargo, including a 15‑acre lay‑down yard and heavy‑lift cranes rated up to 350 t.
### Cargo Handling Equipment
- **Automated Stacking Cranes (ASCs):** Two rail‑mounted ASCs enable 24‑hour container moves, targeting a 30 % reduction in dwell time.
- **Intermodal Rail Yard:** A 16 km rail corridor capable of handling 150 + train sets per year, directly linking to the CN and CPKC mainlines.
### Support Services
- **Pilotage & Tug Services:** Operated by Pacific Pilotage Authority, providing 24/7 escort and tow assistance with a fleet of high‑power tugs rated at 8,000 kW.
- **Customs & Border:** Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) maintains a fully automated clearance system, supporting the **Pre‑Arrival Review System (PARS)** for expedited processing.
- **Dry Dock & Repair:** A 250 m dry dock accommodates vessel maintenance, reinforcing the port’s capability to support offshore supply vessels (OSVs) and research ships.
### Sustainability Initiatives
Prince Rupert has committed to a **Carbon Neutral Port 2030** roadmap, featuring shore‑power (cold‑ ironing) installations, electrified cargo handling equipment, and on‑site renewable energy generation (15 MW wind farm). Data on emissions reductions are regularly published in the port’s **Annual Sustainability Report** (see Transport Canada statistics【https://www.tc.gc.ca】).
---
## Economic Importance
### Regional Economic Engine
The port contributes roughly **CAD 2.4 billion** to British Columbia’s GDP annually and supports over **15,000 direct and indirect jobs**. Its multimodal logistics hub attracts major global carriers, including **Maersk, MSC, and Hapag‑Lloyd**, driving ancillary industries such as warehousing, freight forwarding, and marine services.
### Trade Balance & Value
In 2023, Prince Rupert handled **$85 billion** worth of imports and exports, representing **7 %** of Canada’s total maritime trade value despite accounting for just **4 %** of total container TEU volume. The higher value per TEU reflects a cargo mix dominated by high‑tech goods, oil sands products, and specialty commodities.
### Investment & Expansion Outlook
Future‑proofing investments include a **Phase III expansion** slated for 2027, which will add a 1,200 m second berth and increase the rail yard capacity by 30 %. The project is financed through a public‑private partnership (PPP) model, drawing equity from the **BC Investment Fund** and major shipping lines. These upgrades are expected to push throughput beyond **5 million TEU** by 2035.
---
## Trade Routes & Major Cargo
### Trans‑Pacific Corridor
Prince Rupert serves as the primary entry point for Asian‑to‑North‑America container flows, especially for:
- **Electronics & Consumer Goods:** Mobile phones, computers, and automotive parts from China, South Korea, and Japan.
- **Agricultural Imports:** Soybean meal, wheat, and specialty grains from the United States and Central America.
The port’s **direct “Port‑to‑Rail” service** reduces transit times to the Canadian Prairies to under **72 hours**, a distinct advantage over Vancouver’s longer inland haul.
### North‑American Inland Trade
East‑bound cargo traverses the **CN and CPKC mainlines**, linking to the **Midwest United States** (Chicago, Detroit) and the **Great Lakes** region. Key outbound commodities include:
- **Lumber & Pulp:** Softwood timber, panel products, and paper from BC’s forest sector.
- **Energy Products:** Crude oil and refined fuels from the Alberta oil sands, shipped via **project cargo vessels** and transferred to rail for inland distribution.
### Specialty & Project Cargo
The port’s break‑bulk facilities specialize in oversized shipments such as **wind‑turbine components, mining equipment, and modular construction units**. The heavy‑lift crane fleet and expansive lay‑down yards enable simultaneous handling of multiple project contracts, making Prince Rupert a preferred hub for Pacific‑based development projects.
### Emerging Markets
Recent diversification efforts target **green logistics** corridors, with plans to integrate a **hydrogen fuel corridor** connecting to the Pacific Northwest. Early pilot shipments of **green ammonia** are expected to transit through Prince Rupert by 2028, aligning with Canada’s climate‑aligned trade strategy.
---
*Prince Rupert’s combination of deep‑water access, state‑of‑the‑art infrastructure, and direct rail connectivity solidifies its status as a high‑value, low‑latency gateway for trans‑Pacific commerce. Continuous capital investment, coupled with a strong sustainability agenda, positions the port to meet the evolving demands of global supply chains well into the mid‑21st century.*
Port Intelligence
UN/LOCODE
CAPRR
Country
Canada
Province / Region
British Columbia
Latitude
54.315037
Longitude
-130.320819
Timezone
America/Vancouver
Nautical Map (OpenSeaMap)
Loading Map...
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the UN/LOCODE for Port of Prince Rupert?
The official UN/LOCODE for Port of Prince Rupert is CAPRR.
Where is Port of Prince Rupert located?
The Port of Prince Rupert is located in Canada, British Columbia. Its coordinates are 54.3150°N, -130.3208°E.
What time zone is Port of Prince Rupert in?
Port of Prince Rupert operates in the America/Vancouver time zone.
🌊 Live Marine Conditions
Wave Height0.44 m
Wave Direction273°
Swell Height0.42 m
Data provided by Open-Meteo Marine API
Scanning Local Infrastructure...
About the World Port Index
This data is sourced programmatically. The UN/LOCODE is the official geographic coding scheme used by the United Nations for trade and transport locations.
📍 Nearby Ports
Other maritime facilities geographically close to Prince Rupert.
Fresh Water Bay
United States • 491 km awayTexada Island
Canada • 657 km awayPort Mellon
Canada • 709 km awayNanaimo
Canada • 721 km away