Toronto: Canada’s multicultural metropolis, major business hub, and Great Lakes port gateway.
Toronto, Ontario, is Canada’s largest city and the capital of Ontario, situated on the northwestern shore of Lake Ontario. It spans approximately 630 square kilometers, ranking as North America’s fourth-most populous city and a leading economic, cultural, and transportation hub. Strategically, Toronto benefits from direct access to the Great Lakes–St. Lawrence Seaway system, linking it to Atlantic Ocean shipping routes and major North American markets. While Toronto itself is not a major container port, the nearby Port of Toronto handles a modest annual TEU capacity, primarily serving regional trade, with larger container volumes managed by the Port of Montreal and Halifax for deep-sea traffic.
The Port of Toronto features seven deep-water marine berths, a marine terminal building with 150,000 sq. ft. of storage, and a container distribution centre with 100,000 sq. ft. of heated storage. Key cargo facilities include paved, fenced, and customs-bonded yards with 24-hour security, direct rail access, and container handling equipment such as large mobile toplifters (up to 46 tonnes) and forklifts (up to 50 tonnes). The port does not currently use automated guided vehicles (AGVs) or ship-to-shore gantry cranes.
The Port of Toronto features seven marine berths and a container terminal with heated storage. It handles a diverse range of commodities but lacks significant container volume compared to other major Canadian ports. The port is operated by PortsToronto and offers rail and road connections. Automation levels are not prominently highlighted, but the facility includes modern handling equipment. Major operators include Canadian railroads like CN and CP.
Toronto’s port is a major inland gateway on Lake Ontario, directly connected to the St. Lawrence Seaway and Great Lakes shipping network. It serves the Greater Toronto Area and southern Ontario, linking to nearby ports such as Port Colborne, Buffalo, and Rochester. Shipping routes from Toronto reach major global markets in North America, Europe, South America, Asia, and Australia, with seamless intermodal connections to road, rail, and air for efficient distribution.
Port of Toronto, Ontario, Canada – Key Statistics (2025):
Toronto primarily handles bulk, general cargo, and project shipments, with limited direct container activity compared to Canada’s major ports.
