UN/LOCODE: CAWNP📍 Canada
Port of Winnipeg (UN/LOCODE CAWNP)
❖ Coordinates: 49.8998°N, -97.1375°E
❖ Time Zone: America/Winnipeg
❖ UN/LOCODE: CAWNP
## About the Port
The **Port of Winnipeg** (UN/LOCODE: **CAWNP**) is Canada’s primary inland port, situated at the confluence of the Red River and the Assiniboine River in the province of Manitoba. Located at **49.8997541 ° N, ‑97.1374937 ° W**, the port operates in the **America/Winnipeg** time zone (GMT‑6 standard, GMT‑5 daylight). Managed by the **Winnipeg Port Authority**, a federal agency reporting to Transport Canada, the facility functions as a multimodal logistics hub that couples **riverine, rail, and road networks**. Its strategic position links the grain‑rich Prairie Provinces to the Great Lakes‑St. Lawrence seaway and to U.S. Mid‑western markets, making Winnipeg a critical node in Canada’s north‑south trade corridor.
### Geographic Advantage
- **River System:** The Red River forms part of the **Canadian Inland Waterway**, providing seasonal barge traffic between Lake Winnipeg and the Port of Chicago via the Mississippi River basin.
- **Rail Connectivity:** Direct connections to **Canadian National Railway (CN)** and **Canadian Pacific Kansas City (CPKC)** afford intermodal transfers to trans‑Canada corridors.
- **Road Access:** Highway 1 (Trans‑Canada Highway) and Highway 59 facilitate truck movements to regional industrial parks and cross‑border facilities.
## History
### Early Development (1880s‑1930s)
The Port’s origins trace back to the late 19th century when Winnipeg’s rise as a railway hub prompted the need for a river terminal to complement rail freight. In 1885 the **Winnipeg River Navigation Company** established the first wharves, enabling grain shipments downstream to the United States via the Red River. The port’s early years were characterized by seasonal steamboat operations, limited to the short summer navigation window.
### Mid‑20th Century Expansion
During the 1950s‑1970s, the Canadian federal government invested in the **Manitoba River Improvement Program**, deepening channel depths and constructing lock facilities that extended the navigation season to roughly six months (April–November). In 1975 the **Port of Winnipeg Authority** was created under the Canada Ports Corporation, formalising governance and allowing for the construction of modern grain elevators, bulk handling equipment, and cold‑storage warehouses.
### Contemporary Era (2000‑Present)
Recent decades have seen a shift toward **intermodal integration**. The Port Authority’s 2006 **Strategic Infrastructure Plan** introduced container handling capabilities and upgraded rail sidings to accommodate double‑stack container trains. With the adoption of the **Digital Customs System (e‑Manifest)** and participation in the **Canada‑U.S. Trade Partnership**, Winnipeg now processes over 1 million metric tonnes of cargo annually, positioning it as a gateway for Prairie agribusiness and northern resource sectors.
## Infrastructure & Facilities
### Bulk & Grain Terminals
- **Four grain elevators** with a combined handling capacity of **≈ 1.2 million tonnes per season**, equipped with high‑speed conveyor belts, pneumatic grain dryers, and covered storage silos.
- **Bulk cargo bays** for minerals, fertilizers, and timber, featuring **hydraulic unloaders** capable of handling up to **10 000 t / day**.
### Container Operations
- A **40‑foot container terminal** with **eight gantry cranes** and **four dedicated rail‑to‑dock transfer points**. The facility supports **ISO‑standard containers** and **refrigerated reefers**, enabling direct export of perishable goods.
- **Electronic Gate System (EGS)** that integrates with the **Canadian Automated Export System (CAES)**, reducing dwell time to under **24 hours** for inbound shipments.
### Supporting Services
- **Cold‑storage warehouses** (totaling 45,000 m³) for meat, dairy, and horticultural products.
- **Customs and Inspection Services** staffed by Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) officers, offering 24‑hour clearance for high‑value cargo.
- **Repair docks** for river barges, equipped with a **dry dock** and **crane capacity up to 30 tonnes**.
For a full inventory of port facilities, see the official site: Port of Winnipeg – Facility Overview↗.
## Economic Importance
### Regional Economic Engine
The Port of Winnipeg contributes **≈ CAD 1.2 billion** annually to Manitoba’s GDP, supporting over **7,500 direct and indirect jobs**. Its multimodal nature reduces transportation costs for prairie producers by up to **15 %** compared with exclusive rail or road shipments, boosting the competitiveness of Canadian grain on global markets.
### Agricultural Export Hub
Manitoba’s wheat, canola, and barley output—valued at **CAD 2.5 billion** in 2023—relies heavily on Winnipeg’s grain elevators. Seasonal barge shipments to the **U.S. Gulf Coast** (via the Mississippi River) and to the **Port of Vancouver** (via the Great Lakes) provide a cost‑effective alternative to rail, especially for bulk commodities destined for overseas processors.
### Diversification & Emerging Sectors
Beyond agriculture, the Port has attracted **industrial diversification**:
- **Petrochemical firms** using the terminal for inbound feedstock (e.g., ethylene) and outbound finished products.
- **Renewable energy components** (wind turbine parts, solar panel modules) benefiting from container capabilities.
- **Northern mining operations** that export iron ore concentrate and potash via barge to U.S. markets, leveraging the **Manitoba‑Oklahoma corridor**.
Statistics Canada highlights the port’s role in expanding Manitoba’s export portfolio: Statistics Canada – Canadian Trade Data↗.
## Trade Routes & Major Cargo
### Primary Trade Corridors
| Corridor | Destination | Mode | Seasonal Window |
|----------|-------------|------|-----------------|
| **Red River – Mississippi** | Chicago, New Orleans (U.S.) | Barge | Apr‑Nov |
| **Great Lakes – St. Lawrence** | Montreal, Halifax (Canada) | Barge/Rail | Apr‑Nov |
| **Trans‑Canada Rail** | Vancouver, Toronto, Halifax | Rail | Year‑round |
| **Southern Highway** | Eau Claire (U.S.) via I‑35 | Truck | Year‑round |
### Cargo Mix (2023)
- **Grain (wheat, canola, barley):** **≈ 650 000 t** (≈ 55 % of total throughput)
- **Fertilizers & Potash:** **≈ 120 000 t** (10 %)
- **Petroleum products (fuel oil, diesel):** **≈ 80 000 t** (7 %)
- **Containerized manufactured goods:** **≈ 150 000 t** (13 %)
- **Project & Oversized Cargo (steel, machinery):** **≈ 50 000 t** (5 %)
- **Cold‑chain perishables (meat, berries):** **≈ 30 000 t** (2 %)
### Emerging Trade Opportunities
The port is positioning itself for **green logistics** by facilitating **bio‑fuel shipments** and supporting **carbon‑capture projects** through dedicated bulk handling terminals. Additionally, the **Northern Supply Chain Initiative** aims to route Arctic mineral concentrates through Winnipeg, leveraging its rail links to East‑coast ports for global export.
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*The Port of Winnipeg remains a unique inland maritime gateway, leveraging its riverine heritage, modern intermodal infrastructure, and strategic geographic placement to sustain Manitoba’s economic vitality and Canada’s broader trade objectives.*
Port Intelligence
UN/LOCODE
CAWNP
Country
Canada
Province / Region
Manitoba
Latitude
49.899754
Longitude
-97.137494
Timezone
America/Winnipeg
Nautical Map (OpenSeaMap)
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the UN/LOCODE for Port of Winnipeg?
The official UN/LOCODE for Port of Winnipeg is CAWNP.
Where is Port of Winnipeg located?
The Port of Winnipeg is located in Canada, Manitoba. Its coordinates are 49.8998°N, -97.1375°E.
What time zone is Port of Winnipeg in?
Port of Winnipeg operates in the America/Winnipeg 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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