Vancouver, a critical hub supporting world fertilizer trade

Above: Vancouver Wharves, operated by PKM Canada Marine Terminal LP.

 

Canada is the world’s largest supplier of potash and key producer of sulphur, and the Port of Vancouver on its west coast plays a critical role moving Canadian fertilizer to markets across the world.

 

Fertilizer exports at the port move through three major bulk terminals — which have handled as much as 10mt (million metric tonnes) of potash and 3mt of sulphur annually within the past four years. Potash and sulphur exports are mainly destined for the Indo-Pacific and Americas regions, with most potash going to four key markets (Brazil, China, Indonesia and India), while the top destinations for sulphur are China and Australia.

 

“Canada has some of the largest reserves of potash in the world, with a mature mining sector that continues to see investment and growth,” said Doug Mills, the Vancouver Fraser Port Authority’s Bulk Sector Account Representative.

 

 

Neptune Bulk Terminals, operated by Neptune Bulk Terminals (Canada) Ltd. 

 

“The Port of Vancouver has successfully supported potash and sulphur exports for decades, and we are seeing ongoing investment in the port and its terminals to support future needs. This includes a major upgrade of the Westshore terminal to handle potash from 2026 onwards in support of BHP’s new Jensen mine in Saskatchewan. By the end of the decade, we expect this upgrade alone to add millions of tonnes a year to the port’s annual potash exports.”

 

Over the past ten years annual potash exports moving through the Port of Vancouver have been around 7–10mt — with China and Brazil each getting about 1–3mt. The port has handled around 2–3mt of sulphur exports a year over the past decade — with production tied to refining and upgrading in Alberta’s oil and gas sector, with volumes escalating in 2022, 2023 and YTD 2024.

 

“With its distinctive yellow colour and ability to be stored in the open, sulphur has long been associated with the Port of Vancouver — any ships entering the busy Burrard Inlet trade corridor pass by Vancouver Wharves’ stockpile of sulphur near Lions Gate Bridge,” says Mills. “Sulphur is more than just a distinguishing local landmark — it’s a vital commodity used worldwide for fertilizer, and producing sulphuric acid, pharmaceuticals, tyres and more.

 

 

Pacific Coast Terminals, operated by Pacific Coast Terminals Co. Ltd. 

 

“The Vancouver Fraser Port Authority is a federal agency with the job of enabling Canada’s trade through the Port of Vancouver while protecting the environment, including by managing marine traffic and leasing federal land to independent operators who manage terminals.

 

With ship traffic and cargo volumes growing, the port authority is collaborating with industry and government to enhance efficiency, innovation and safety at the port. This includes optimizing the maritime supply chain through the Active Vessel Traffic Management Program and Canada’s first centralized scheduling system — a transformative tool that allows the port authority to take an active role in managing ship traffic in and out of the busy harbour.

 

“Active vessel traffic management enhances visibility and fluidity of marine movements in Burrard Inlet — enabling better coordination among port users and allowing ship, terminal and rail operators to foresee demand and optimize operations,” says Mills. “We are using this new digital tool to drive collaboration and inform decision making at the port — helping unlock latent capacity for terminals to support Canada’s growing trade needs.”