New data underlines the Port of Vancouver’s role supporting economic prosperity—supporting more than 132,000 jobs across the country and adding $16.3 billion to national GDP 

The Vancouver Fraser Port Authority today released its latest Economic Impact Study, confirming the important role Canada’s largest and most diversified port continues to play supporting jobs and businesses across the country. The study found the port and its supply chains sustain more than 132,000 jobs paying $9.3 billion in wages, and contribute $32.7 billion in economic output and $16.3 billion in GDP.  

“Canada is a trading nation and this study illustrates that the Port of Vancouver continues to play a crucial role supporting the movement of goods in and out of our country—helping countless Canadians and their communities prosper,” said Victor Pang, chief financial officer at the Vancouver Fraser Port Authority. 

“The study highlights the important role port operators and supply chain partners play for Canadian businesses from coast to coast. It has never been more important for everyone to work together to support reliable, efficient and sustainable goods movement through Canada’s most important marine gateway—the Port of Vancouver.” 

Other key findings from the Economic Impact Study—which looked at the operations and activities at the Port of Vancouver and its supply chains—include: 

• 52,700 direct jobs across Canada were sustained, including tug operators and marine pilots, longshore workers, terminal and port authority staff, rail engineers, and truck drivers 

• A highly skilled national workforce is required—with jobs that pay an average of $88,000 a year for a full-time equivalent position, compared to Canada’s annual average 2021 wage of $58,800  

• Almost 80% of the jobs and economic benefits from Port of Vancouver activities stay in B.C., including more than 103,000 local jobs  

“Our latest Economic Impact Study confirms the growing strength of the Vancouver gateway,” said Pang. “We continue to work with government and industry to enhance port capacity and infrastructure, including on Roberts Bank Terminal 2 which will accommodate growing trade, offer more options for shipping lines and provide a unique opportunity for a terminal operator in a strategic location.” 

The Port of Vancouver is home to 29 major terminals that move cargo across four different sectors—bulk, containers, breakbulk and automobiles—and passengers through the Canada Place cruise terminal. Every year, these terminals handle approximately $300 billion in trade and move almost as much cargo by volume as Canada’s next five largest ports combined. 

Cruise operations at the Port of Vancouver alone sustain 17,200 jobs across Canada, $1 billion in wages, $1.7 billion in GDP and $3.3 billion in economic output—with each cruise ship visit to the Canada Place cruise terminal injecting about $3 million into the local economy, driven by spending from passengers, crew members, and cruise lines. Vancouver has been a homeport for Alaskan cruises for more than 30 years, with cruise lines using local Canadian suppliers to restock their ships with food and beverage, make repairs, and refuel. 

The 2021 Economic Impact Study was completed by InterVISTAS Consulting, a Vancouver-based consultancy with extensive experience in the transportation and tourism industries, to help quantify the ongoing employment, spending and economic activity supported by port operations. 

Recent work by the port authority to enhance capacity, efficiency and reliability of trade through the port include: 

• progressing the Roberts Bank Terminal 2 container terminal in Delta  

• partnering with Wallenius Wilhelmsen to optimize the Annacis Island auto terminal in Delta 

• partnering with DP World to expand the Centerm container terminal in Vancouver 

• launching a centralized scheduling system to enhance the safety, reliability and fluidity of ship movements 

• starting construction on an overpass in Burnaby to separate road and rail, and improve community safety and rail service for North Vancouver terminals  

• implementing biometric facial scanning technology at the Canada Place cruise terminal in Vancouver to enhance the passenger experience, terminal efficiency and border security  

Backgrounder  

Jobs, wage, economic output, and GDP figures represent the total economic impact (direct, indirect, and induced).  

Direct jobs across the nation 

Direct jobs in B.C. 

More than 95% of all direct jobs across Metro Vancouver are in the following nine municipalities 

1. Vancouver: 17,900 
2. Richmond: 6,100 
3. Delta: 4,800 
4. New Westminster: 4,300 
5. North Vancouver (district): 4,100 
6. Surrey: 2,900 
7. Burnaby: 1,400 
8. Port Coquitlam: 1,300 
9. North Vancouver (city): 1,300