UN/LOCODE: CAQUE📍 Canada
Port of Quebec (UN/LOCODE CAQUE)
❖ Coordinates: 46.8033°N, -71.2428°E
❖ Time Zone: America/Toronto
❖ UN/LOCODE: CAQUE
## About the Port
The Port of Quebec (UN/LOCODE **CAQUE**) is a strategically positioned deep‑water gateway on the south shore of the **St. Lawrence River**, 46.8° N, 71.2° W, operating under the America/Toronto time zone. As a cornerstone of Canada’s Atlantic maritime network, it provides direct access to the **St. Lawrence Seaway**, linking the Great Lakes with the Atlantic Ocean. The port’s natural harbor is protected by the Quebec peninsula, offering year‑round navigability for vessels up to **10 000 gt** after the annual ice‑breaking program. Its proximity to the provincial capital, a major industrial belt, and an extensive rail‑road grid (CN, CP, and the Quebec‑Northwest Railway) makes it a multimodal hub for containerised, bulk, and project cargo.
## History
### Early Foundations (1608‑1763)
Established in 1608 alongside the founding of Quebec City, the port served as the primary entry point for French colonial trade, especially the fur and timber exchanges with New France’s hinterland. The **Saint‑Lawrence River** was the main arterial route, and the early port infrastructure revolved around river wharves and rudimentary ship‑building yards.
### British Era and 19th‑Century Expansion (1763‑1900)
After the 1763 Treaty of Paris, British administration modernised the harbour, introducing the first **customs house** and lighthouse (1821). The arrival of steam navigation in the 1840s and the opening of the **Canal du Saint‑Lawrence** (1845) amplified trans‑Atlantic traffic, prompting the construction of stone quays and the first grain silos. By the late 19th century, Quebec had become a major hub for **timber, wheat, and iron ore** exports, supported by the burgeoning railway network.
### 20th‑Century Consolidation (1900‑1990)
The port’s expansion accelerated with the **St. Lawrence Seaway** inauguration in 1959, which allowed ocean‑going vessels to reach inland ports. Heavy‑lift facilities, a dedicated **container terminal (opened 1979)**, and mechanised cargo handling systems were added. Throughout the Cold War, the port also hosted naval logistics for the Canadian Armed Forces, reinforcing its strategic significance.
### 21st‑Century Modernisation (1990‑Present)
Recent decades have seen a shift towards **intermodal efficiency** and environmental sustainability. The port adopted the **Port Community System (PCS)** for digital clearance, invested in shore‑power capabilities, and undertook a **dredging program** to maintain a 12.5‑m draft. Continuous upgrades have positioned Quebec as a competitive gateway for **green logistics**, aligning with Canada’s maritime emissions reduction targets.
## Infrastructure & Facilities
| Facility | Capacity / Specification | Primary Use |
|----------|--------------------------|-------------|
| **Container Terminal** | 3 berths, 12‑m depth, 1 400 TEU crane | Containerized imports/exports |
| **Bulk & General Cargo Docks** | 5 berths, 9‑10 m depth, conveyor‑loaded grain elevators (1 Mt/yr) | Grain, ore, cement, project cargo |
| **Cruise Terminal** | 2 berths, passenger processing for up to 2 000 pax/ship | Seasonal cruise tourism |
| **Ro‑Ro/Gasoline Pier** | 1‑wide ramp, 8 m draft | Vehicles, short‑sea liner services |
| **Rail Interchange** | Direct CN & CP links, 30 km of on‑site tracks | Container and bulk rail transfer |
| **Warehousing** | 200 000 m² covered, climate‑controlled | Short‑term storage, value‑add logistics |
| **Shore Power (Cold Iron)** | 12 MW total, compatible with 5000 kW vessels | Emission reduction for docked ships |
The port’s **navigation channel** is maintained at a minimum 12.5‑m depth and 200‑m width, enabling passage of **Panamax‑class** vessels. Advanced **Port Community System (PCS)** integration with Customs Canada streamlines electronic documentation, reducing average clearance times to under 12 hours. A dedicated **Ice‑Breaking Service** (operated by the Canadian Coast Guard) ensures accessibility from late March through early December.
## Economic Importance
The Port of Quebec contributes substantially to both provincial and national economies. According to **Statistics Canada**, the port handled **15.3 million tonnes** of cargo in 2023, representing roughly **4 %** of Canada’s total seaborne trade volume. The port’s throughput supports over **30 000 direct and indirect jobs**, ranging from dockworkers and logistics providers to maritime engineers and customs officials.
Key economic impacts include:
- **GDP Contribution:** Approximately **CAD 3.2 billion** annually, driven by cargo handling, ancillary services, and value‑added processing (e.g., grain cleaning, metal fabrication).
- **Industrial Synergy:** The port underpins Quebec’s major industrial clusters—**aerospace, forestry, and aluminum**—by delivering raw materials and exporting finished goods.
- **Tourism Revenue:** The cruise terminal draws an estimated **150 000 visitors** each summer, generating CAD 75 million in tourism spend.
- **Strategic Resilience:** Its location offers an alternative to the congested **Port of Montreal**, providing redundancy for supply‑chain continuity in case of disruptions along the Lower St. Lawrence.
## Trade Routes & Major Cargo
### Primary Export Commodities
| Commodity | Approx. Annual Volume | Main Destination |
|-----------|----------------------|------------------|
| **Grain (wheat, barley)** | 2.8 Mt | Europe (Netherlands, United Kingdom) |
| **Aluminum & Semi‑finished Products** | 1.9 Mt | United States (Midwest) |
| **Forest Products (lumber, pulp)** | 1.5 Mt | Asia (Japan, South Korea) |
| **Minerals (iron ore, nickel)** | 1.2 Mt | Europe & Asia |
### Primary Import Commodities
| Commodity | Approx. Annual Volume | Main Origin |
|-----------|----------------------|-------------|
| **Petrochemicals & Refined Fuels** | 1.1 Mt | United States (Gulf Coast) |
| **Automobiles & Parts** | 0.9 Mt | Europe (Germany, France) |
| **Machinery & Equipment** | 0.7 Mt | United States (Mid‑Atlantic) |
| **Containerized Consumer Goods** | 2.4 Mt (TEU) | Asia (China, Vietnam) |
### Trade Corridor Connectivity
- **Atlantic‑North America:** Vessels transiting the **Gulf of St. Lawrence** connect directly with European ports (Rotterdam, Antwerp) and the Eastern seaboard of the United States.
- **Inland Seaway:** The **St. Lawrence Seaway** enables bulk carriers to travel to the **Great Lakes** (e.g., Duluth, Chicago), creating a hinterland market for grain, steel, and automotive components.
- **Intermodal Links:** Direct rail access to **CN** and **CP** facilitates onward transport to **Toronto**, **Ottawa**, and the **U.S. Midwest**, while highway connections to **Autoroute 20** support truck‑based distribution.
Major shipping lines operating regular services include **CMA CGM**, **MOL**, and **Hapag‑Lloyd**, with scheduled calls on the **Europe‑East Coast‑Asia loop**. The port also sees a high frequency of **short‑sea roll‑on/roll‑off** vessels that shuttle between Quebec, Montreal, and Atlantic coastal ports.
For a detailed breakdown of cargo statistics and vessel schedules, see the official Port of Quebec site: portquebec.ca↗.
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*The Port of Quebec remains a vital maritime gateway that blends historic significance with modern logistics, underpinning the economic vitality of Quebec and the broader Canadian Atlantic corridor.*
Port Intelligence
UN/LOCODE
CAQUE
Country
Canada
Province / Region
Quebec
Latitude
46.803283
Longitude
-71.242796
Timezone
America/Toronto
Nautical Map (OpenSeaMap)
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the UN/LOCODE for Port of Quebec?
The official UN/LOCODE for Port of Quebec is CAQUE.
Where is Port of Quebec located?
The Port of Quebec is located in Canada, Quebec. Its coordinates are 46.8033°N, -71.2428°E.
What time zone is Port of Quebec in?
Port of Quebec operates in the America/Toronto time zone.
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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.
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