DP World Celebrates Two Decades of Canadian Operations with Major Economic Impact
Global logistics leader DP World is commemorating 20 years of operations in Canada, marking a significant milestone that includes more than CAD$1.7 billion invested since 2006 to build, expand, and modernize critical supply chain infrastructure across the country.
Substantial Investment Supporting National Employment
These substantial investments are estimated to support up to 100,000 direct, indirect, and induced jobs throughout Canada, based on terminal throughput and established port economic impact benchmarks. This employment spans unionized longshore labor, contractors, supply chain partners, and workers across diverse industries that benefit from enhanced logistics capabilities.
Over the past two decades, DP World has transformed from a terminal operator into an integrated logistics partner, investing strategically across marine terminals, inland logistics, and comprehensive supply chain solutions that connect Canadian businesses to global markets.
Executive Perspective on Long-Term Commitment
Doug Smith, CEO of DP World in Canada, emphasized the company's enduring dedication: "Our $1.7 billion investment over the past 20 years reflects a long-term commitment to Canada's trade future. Beyond infrastructure, these investments support tens of thousands of jobs and help Canadian businesses compete globally. As trade evolves, we remain focused on building the capacity and capabilities needed to support the next phase of growth and global connectivity."
Two Decades of Growth: Key Statistics
- $1.7 billion invested in port and logistics infrastructure since 2006
- Five marine terminals across Vancouver, Prince Rupert, Nanaimo, Fraser Surrey, and Saint John
- Seven contract logistics and freight forwarding sites across Ontario and Quebec
- More than 10,000 longshore and foremen workers engaged in British Columbia over two decades
- Over 20 million loaded twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) handled
- Container capacity expanded nearly tenfold, from 850,000 TEUs to 8.3 million TEUs (projected)
Strategic Investments Across Canada's Trade Corridors
DP World's capital investments continue to drive growth and performance across Canada's key trade gateways:
Vancouver: Capacity increased 60% to 1.5 million TEUs alongside advancements in electrification, shore power, and a hydrogen-powered crane pilot. The terminal handled a record 975,727 TEUs in 2025.
Prince Rupert: Container volumes grew 20% to 885,930 TEUs in 2025, reinforcing its role as a key Asia-North America gateway.
Nanaimo: A $134 million expansion at Duke Point will nearly double berth length and increase capacity to 280,000 TEUs, establishing Vancouver Island's first dedicated deep-sea container terminal by 2027.
Fraser Surrey: Canada's largest multi-purpose terminal handled diversified cargo, including infrastructure materials as well as bulk and breakbulk shipments. A new CAD$150 million transload facility is supporting canola oil exports.
Saint John: Volumes have increased more than 300% since 2017, supported by the $247 million West Side Modernization Project. The terminal handled nearly 240,000 TEUs in 2025.
Contrecœur: DP World is a strategic partner in the development of the Contrecœur container terminal to expand capacity along the St. Lawrence seaway.
This comprehensive investment strategy demonstrates DP World's ongoing commitment to strengthening Canada's position in global trade networks while creating substantial economic benefits across multiple regions and industries.
