‘Significant Migration’ of USWC Imports to Canadian Ports, Says Sea-Intelligence

Why It Matters

The migration signals a structural realignment of trans‑Pacific trade routes, reshaping revenue streams for ports and carriers across the continent. It also highlights persistent empty‑container imbalances that threaten operational efficiency and profitability.

Key Takeaways

• Canadian ports gained market share as US west‑coast volumes fell
• Prince Rupert imports rose 7.8% to ~491k TEU in Q1 2026
• Northwest Seaport Alliance saw an 18% drop in import volumes
• Empty‑container ratio at LA/LB hit 2.58:1, hurting efficiency
• Export growth offset import decline, up 2.4% to 1.27m TEU

Pulse Analysis

The latest Sea‑Intelligence data reveal a pronounced northward migration of trans‑Pacific imports, a trend rooted in geopolitical tension and operational bottlenecks. The ongoing U.S.–China trade war has prompted shippers to reroute cargo to Canadian gateways, while chronic congestion and looming labour disruptions on the U.S. west coast have amplified risk‑aversion. As a result, Prince Rupert and Vancouver together absorbed roughly 1.0 million TEU in Q1 2026, delivering double‑digit growth against a backdrop of a 3.9% regional import contraction.

For Canadian ports, the influx translates into higher berth utilization, increased crane moves, and a boost to ancillary services such as inland trucking and warehousing. Conversely, U.S. terminals like the Northwest Seaport Alliance, Oakland, Long Beach and Los Angeles recorded double‑digit declines, eroding their revenue bases. Export activity, however, painted a brighter picture, climbing 2.4% to 1.27 million TEU and providing a modest counterbalance. The stark empty‑container ratio of 2.58 : 1 at Los Angeles and Long Beach underscores a misalignment between carrier priorities—rapid empty repositioning to Asia—and terminal goals of maximizing loaded moves.

Looking ahead, the sustained shift could accelerate investments in Canadian terminal capacity and digital platforms to handle higher volumes efficiently. Carriers may need to recalibrate equipment deployment strategies, perhaps offering incentives for loading lower‑margin North‑American exports to improve yard density. Meanwhile, U.S. ports face pressure to alleviate congestion, possibly through infrastructure upgrades or policy interventions, to reclaim lost market share and restore a more balanced container flow across the Pacific corridor.