Toronto, Ont, Canada

Port Overview

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.

Facilities & Infrastructure

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.

Container Terminals

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.

Port Services

• Container handling: Full container yard with container cranes, toplifters, electrical outlets for reefers, and rapid loading/unloading for both rail and truck.
• Cargo operations: General, bulk, and project cargo handling; heavy lift capabilities; RO/RO dock; inside and outside loading; 24/7 security.
• Ship services: Seven marine berths, ISPS Code Facility, maintenance center for equipment, direct rail and road connections.
• Warehousing: Heated indoor storage (over 100,000 sq. ft.), short- and long-term storage, staging areas, bonded facilities.
• Customs: Entire yard is customs bonded, enabling efficient customs clearance and compliance for international shipments.

Global Connectivity

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 Statistics

Port of Toronto, Ontario, Canada – Key Statistics (2025):

• TEU throughput: Approximately 35,000 TEU annually
• World ranking: Not ranked among the world’s top 100 container ports
• Number of berths: 5
• Port area: 52 hectares
• Shipping lines: Serviced by regional and feeder lines, with connections to major global carriers via Montreal and Halifax

Toronto primarily handles bulk, general cargo, and project shipments, with limited direct container activity compared to Canada’s major ports.