Canada has added a major new piece to its trade infrastructure with the official opening of the CANXPORT facility at the Port of Prince Rupert, strengthening the country’s ability to move goods to international markets while reinforcing supply chain resilience.
Celebrated by the Honourable Steven MacKinnon, Minister of Transport and Leader of the Government in the House of Commons, the facility—formerly known as the Ridley Island Export Logistics Project—was supported by nearly $50 million in federal funding through the National Trade Corridors Fund (NTCF). The investment reflects the Government of Canada’s ongoing efforts to modernize transportation infrastructure and improve the movement of Canadian exports.
Located on Ridley Island in British Columbia, CANXPORT is expected to handle at least 400,000 shipping containers annually, with the ability to expand capacity to 750,000 containers in the future. The facility will support exports including forestry products, agricultural products and plastic resins, while providing Canadian businesses with faster, more reliable access to global markets.
Federal funding helped expand the site’s road and rail network through the addition of three inbound and three outbound rail tracks dedicated to export transloading. The upgraded infrastructure increases rail capacity, strengthens links between rail and marine transportation, and improves the efficiency of moving goods through one of Canada’s most strategically located ports.
As North America’s closest port to Asia, Prince Rupert continues to play a pivotal role in Canada’s international trade network. In 2025, the port handled 26.3 million tonnes of cargo—a 14 per cent increase over the previous year—making it Canada’s third-busiest container port and fourth-busiest port authority by tonnage.
The new facility also makes better use of industrial lands on Ridley Island, helping diversify Canada’s trade opportunities while building more resilient supply chains for exporters across multiple sectors.
Highlighting the significance of the project, Minister MacKinnon said:
“The opening of CANXPORT is a major step forward for Canada’s export network. By creating new capacity at the Port of Prince Rupert, this facility will help Canadian products reach customers around the world more efficiently and reliably. Investments like this strengthen our transportation system, support businesses and workers, and help position Canada to seize new trade opportunities in a changing global economy.”
Through the National Trade Corridors Fund, the Government of Canada continues to invest in strategic infrastructure designed to improve the flow of goods, strengthen supply chains and support long-term economic growth.
