UN/LOCODE: CASJB📍 Canada
Port of Saint-John (UN/LOCODE CASJB)
❖ Coordinates: 45.2700°N, -66.0700°E
❖ Time Zone: America/Halifax
❖ UN/LOCODE: CASJB
## About the Port
Located at **45.27° N, 66.07° W** on the eastern bank of the Saint John River, the Port of Saint‑John (UN/LOCODE **CASJB**) serves as New Brunswick’s primary deep‑water gateway to the Atlantic. Operated under the jurisdiction of Transport Canada’s Atlantic Region, the port benefits from a **natural, ice‑free channel** that accommodates vessels up to **40 meters draft** year‑round, thanks to regular dredging and tidal flushing.
The port’s strategic position within the **America/Halifax time zone** places it equidistant between the bustling ports of Halifax, Portland, and the Gulf of Mexico, making it a natural node for trans‑Atlantic, intra‑Canadian, and U.S. Gulf trade. Its **40‑acre waterfront** hosts a mix of container terminals, bulk handling facilities, and specialised terminals for forest products, petroleum, and refrigerated cargo. The port is integrated into the **Canadian National Railway (CN) network** and the **Trans‑Canada Highway (Route 2)**, providing seamless multimodal connectivity for importers and exporters across the Maritime Provinces and the broader Canadian market.
In recent years the port has been promoted as a **“green gateway,”** leveraging shore‑power capabilities, low‑sulphur fuel zones, and a partnership with the Saint‑John Harbour Authority to reduce emissions and attract environmentally‑conscious shippers.
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## History
The harbour’s commercial origins trace back to the early **17th century**, when French settlers established a modest fishing outpost at the river’s mouth. By the **mid‑1800s**, Saint‑John had evolved into a primary coal‑export hub for the burgeoning railway system, with the **Intercolonial Railway** (later CN) constructing a dedicated wharf that linked the port directly to inland grain and timber markets.
During the **World Wars**, the port’s deep‑water berths were requisitioned for the Allied war effort, handling ammunition, troop transports, and later, post‑war reconstruction materials. The 1960s and 1970s saw a shift toward **containerisation**, prompting the construction of the first container crane (1975) and the establishment of the **Saint‑John Container Terminal**, which remains the port’s core container handling asset.
The 1990s brought privatization of terminal operations and a series of public‑private partnerships aimed at modernising the waterfront. Major capital projects—including the **2009 dredging programme** that deepened the main channel to 12 m and the **2015–2018 terminal expansion**—positioned the port to handle the next generation of ultra‑large container vessels (ULCVs) and bulk carriers.
Today, the port’s legacy of adaptability is reflected in its **diversified cargo mix**, historical resilience, and ongoing investments in digitalisation and sustainable infrastructure.
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## Infrastructure & Facilities
### 1. Container Terminal
- **Berths:** 2 deep‑water berths (40 m length each) with **40 m draught** capability.
- **Equipment:** 2 Panamax gantry cranes, 1 Super‑Post‑P&P crane, 4 rubber‑tyred gantry (RTG) stacks, and a state‑of‑the‑art Terminal Operating System (TOS) that supports real‑time container tracking.
- **Yard Capacity:** Approximately **150,000 TEU** of on‑site storage, with additional off‑dock container parks operated under a concession model.
### 2. Bulk & Project Cargo
- **Grain Elevator:** 5 Mt annual capacity, servicing the Maritime’s extensive cereal farms.
- **Oil & Gas Terminal:** 4 berths equipped with **hydro‑static loading arms**, supporting the import of refined petroleum products and the export of liquefied natural gas (LNG) from nearby offshore projects.
- **Forestry Terminals:** Dedicated piers for bulk wood chips, pulp, and lumber, each with conveyor systems capable of handling **2 Mt per year**.
### 3. Support Services
- **Customs & Inspection:** Fully staffed Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) facilities providing 24 h clearance for high‑value cargo.
- **Pilotage & Tug Assistance:** Certified Saint‑John harbour pilots and a fleet of **four high‑powered tugs** ensure safe navigation through the river’s tidal bends.
- **Warehousing & Logistics:** A network of climate‑controlled warehouses, bonded facilities, and a free‑trade zone adjacent to the port, enabling value‑added processing and re‑export.
### 4. Connectivity
- **Rail:** Direct CN access with **seven onsite tracks**, allowing the simultaneous handling of container, bulk, and intermodal trains.
- **Road:** Direct linkage to the **Trans‑Canada Highway (Route 2)** and the **Route 1 expressway**, supporting a **12‑hour trucking window** to the U.S. Northeast corridor.
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## Economic Importance
The Port of Saint‑John is a **critical engine of New Brunswick’s economy**, contributing an estimated **CAD 1.3 billion** in direct and indirect economic activity annually. The port supports **over 5,000 jobs**, ranging from stevedores and logistics professionals to ancillary services such as marine engineering, customs brokerage, and food‑service operations.
### Regional Impact
- **Agriculture:** The grain terminal processes over **3 Mt** of wheat, barley, and oats each year, funneling Canadian Prairie harvests to Atlantic and European markets.
- **Forestry:** Approximately **2 Mt** of soft‑wood products pass through Saint‑John, making the port the **largest export point for New Brunswick’s timber industry**.
- **Energy:** The oil and LNG handling facilities contribute to the **Maritime’s energy security**, supporting both domestic consumption and the export of Canadian natural gas to the Northeastern United States.
### National Significance
- **Gateway to the Atlantic:** As one of only three major deep‑water ports in the Atlantic provinces, Saint‑John offers a **redundant alternative** to Halifax and Sydney, enhancing Canada’s resilience against supply‑chain disruptions.
- **Trade Diversification:** The port’s ability to service **both containerised and bulk cargoes** diversifies Canada’s export portfolio, aligning with federal objectives to increase the share of value‑added goods in total trade.
The port’s ongoing **capital improvement program**, funded jointly by the federal government, the Province of New Brunswick, and private stakeholders, projects a **15 % increase in cargo throughput by 2030**, reinforcing its role as a pivotal maritime hub in Atlantic Canada.
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## Trade Routes & Major Cargo
### Primary Trade Corridors
- **North‑American East Coast:** Frequent sailings to **New York, Boston, and Portland**, serving the U.S. Northeast’s consumer goods and automotive markets.
- **Europe:** Regular container services to **Rotterdam, Antwerp, and Southampton**, facilitating the export of forest products, machinery, and specialty chemicals.
- **Caribbean & Latin America:** Short‑sea routes to **Barbados, Jamaica, and Colombia**, predominantly for bulk grain and refrigerated seafood.
### Dominant Cargo Types
| Cargo Category | Annual Volume (Approx.) | Key Origins/Destinations |
|----------------|--------------------------|--------------------------|
| **Containerised Goods** | 220,000 TEU | Imports: consumer electronics, automotive parts; Exports: specialty chemicals, machinery |
| **Grain & Cereals** | 3 Mt | Imports: none; Exports: U.S. Midwest & European markets |
| **Lumber & Pulp** | 2 Mt | Exports: United Kingdom, United States (Great Lakes) |
| **Oil & Petroleum Products** | 1.5 Mt | Imports: refined fuels; Exports: regional distributors |
| **Refrigerated Cargo** (Frozen seafood) | 120,000 MT | Exports: EU and Asian markets; seasonal surges in winter |
| **Project Cargo** (Machinery, steel) | 350,000 MT | Imports: heavy equipment for Atlantic‑Canada infrastructure projects |
The port’s **digital trade platform**, aligned with the **World Customs Organization’s (WCO) SAFE framework**, enables electronic data interchange (EDI) for cargo manifesting, reducing clearance times and enhancing supply‑chain visibility.
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*For further technical details on the port’s operational standards, see Transport Canada’s “National Port Regulations” (https://tc.canada.ca/en/transportation) and the Port of Saint‑John’s official site (https://www.saintjohnport.com).*
Port Intelligence
UN/LOCODE
CASJB
Country
Canada
Province / Region
New Brunswick
Latitude
45.270000
Longitude
-66.070000
Timezone
America/Halifax
Nautical Map (OpenSeaMap)
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the UN/LOCODE for Port of Saint-John?
The official UN/LOCODE for Port of Saint-John is CASJB.
Where is Port of Saint-John located?
The Port of Saint-John is located in Canada, New Brunswick. Its coordinates are 45.2700°N, -66.0700°E.
What time zone is Port of Saint-John in?
Port of Saint-John operates in the America/Halifax 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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