NAWC Q1/2026: Canadian Ports Gain Market Share in Trans-Pacific Trade Flows

In the latest edition of its Sunday Spotlight newsletter, Sea-Intelligence conducted a detailed analysis of container volume dynamics on the North American West Coast (NAWC) for the first quarter of 2026. The latest data reveals a notable shift in cargo flows along the Trans-Pacific trade lane.

A Clear Divergence Between the US and Canada

Although total inbound container volumes across the entire NAWC region dropped by 3.9% year-over-year (Y/Y), the report highlights that this decline was predominantly concentrated at US ports. Conversely, cargo flows showed a strong northward migration, creating a significant advantage for Canadian gateways such as the Port of Prince Rupert and the Port of Vancouver.

Specifically, in Q1/2026, the Port of Vancouver recorded a robust 9.0% Y/Y growth in inbound cargo, surpassing 491,000 TEU. This performance not only fully erased the minor decline seen the previous year but also established a new record for the port's actual import volumes.

Similarly, the Port of Prince Rupert achieved a 7.8% Y/Y growth rate, eclipsing its Q1/2024 throughput, though it remained below the historical peaks recorded during the 2019-2022 period.

On the other hand, all major ports on the US West Coast posted negative growth. Among them, the Northwest Seaport Alliance (comprising the ports of Seattle and Tacoma) suffered the steepest contraction, plummeting by 18.0% Y/Y.

Drivers Behind the Rerouting Trend

This conflicting distribution of cargo volumes reflects a deliberate rerouting strategy by shippers and ocean carriers. Analysts suggest that this trend is being driven by three primary catalysts:

●    Trade tensions stemming from the ongoing US trade war.

●    The competitive edge of cross-border rail logistics networks, which connect directly into the US Midwest heartland.

●    Proactive corporate risk-mitigation strategies aimed at avoiding labor concerns and potential congestion risks at US West Coast ports.

The Macro Picture: Trans-Pacific Demand Is Cooling Off

From a macro perspective, Q1/2026 import volumes point to a more pronounced cooling off in Trans-Pacific shipping demand following years of robust growth.

Overall, NAWC inbound container volumes in Q1/2026 contracted on both a yearly and quarterly basis. Specifically, while NAWC ports handled approximately 3.63 million TEU of imports in Q1/2025, that figure fell to around 3.49 million TEU in Q1/2026. According to Sea-Intelligence's assessment, this prolonged flat-to-declining trend over three consecutive quarters is a direct consequence of the US trade war.

See more:

• Trans-Pacific Rates Remain Elevated as the Market Prepares for Peak Season
• SAX/SAECS/SRX Service Adds Port of Algeciras to Europe – South Africa Rotation
• Ocean Alliance Adds Miami to PEX3 Asia – US East Coast Service
• Tanker Prices Skyrocket as the Market Hungers for Prompt Tonnage
• International Shipping and Logistics Market Update Week 20/2026 | Phaata
• Yang Ming Under Pressure from Freight Rates and Middle East Tensions in Q1 2026
• CMA CGM Air Cargo Officially Launches Freighter Route to Vietnam Amid a Red-Hot Market
• Q1/2026 Report: HMM Profits Plunge 56% Amid Dual Market Pressures
• Spot Rates Surge as Carriers Universally Implement Surcharges Ahead of Early Peak Season
• Hapag-Lloyd Reports Q1/2026 Loss Amid Dual Pressures from Freight Rates and Supply Chain Disruptions
• Trans-Pacific Freight Rates Remain Elevated Amid Muted Demand
• CMA CGM Implements Peak Season Surcharge from South China and Hong Kong
• Maersk: Iran War is Adding $500 Million in Costs per Month - And Customers Will Have to Shoulder a Portion
• COSCO schedules: Vietnam - North America in May 2026
• SITC updates Vietnam-Intra Asia sailing schedules in May 2026

Source: Phaata.com (According to Sea Intelligence)

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