The Top 18 Intermodal Terminals in Canada

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Amylee Silva
Amylee Silva

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This post was last updated on October 2nd, 2023

Canada is a country with diverse natural resources, and it’s also home to some of the largest Intermodal Terminals. The Intermodal Terminal Network in Canada has grown over the last several decades and as global trade continues to grow, more Domestic Intermodal Terminals flourish across this great nation.

Which Intermodal Terminals rank among the top ten in Canada? Read on to find out.

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A Look at the Top 18 Intermodal Transport Terminals in Canada

Canadian National Railway Company (CN rail yard locations)

*From East to West but in no particular order

  • Halifax, NS
    Port Code: 009
    Sub. Code: 2021
  • Moncton, NB
    Port Code: 206
    Sub. Code: 2108
  • Montreal, QC
    Port Code: 395
    Sub. Code: 2414  
  • Malport, ON
    Port Code: 495
    Sub. Code: 3006
  • Brampton (Toronto), ON
    Port Code: 495
    Sub. Code: 3037
  • Winnipeg, MB
    Port Code: 504
    Sub. Code: 3147
  • Saskatoon, SK
    Port Code: 605
    Sub. Code: 3215
  • East Regina, SK
    Port Code: 0604
    Sub. Code: 5817
  • Edmonton, AB
    Port Code: 702
    Sub. Code: 4492
  • Calgary Logistics Park, AB
    Port Code: 701
    Sub. Code: 5426
  • Vancouver, BC
    Port Code: 809
    Sub. Code: 3373

For a complete look at CN’s interactive map of intermodal terminals and yards, visit www.cn.ca.

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CP Rail ramp facilities and intermodal terminals

*From East to West but in no particular order

  • Lachine Intermodal Terminal (Quebec)
  • Vaughan Intermodal Terminal (Kleinburg, ON)
  • Winnipeg Intermodal Terminal (Manitoba)
  • Regina Intermodal Facility (Saskatchewan)
  • Edmonton Intermodal Terminal (Alberta)
  • Calgary Intermodal Terminal (Alberta)
  • Vancouver Intermodal Terminal (Pitt Meadows, BC)

Download CP Rails North American Rail map here.

New Proposed Developments, Projects, and Intermodal Ramp Sites Canada [ Updated 2023 ]

  • The Federal Government proposes and approves a new rail park in Winnipeg to facilitate the intermodal transfer of cargo, easing traffic to and from the US and Mexico. Full details here.
  • High-Frequency Rail project. More details here.

11 Contributing Factors of a Top Rated Intermodal Terminal

Intermodal terminals are designed for a specific use, and a number of factors can affect their performance.

Intermodal terminals should be able to handle large trucks efficiently and have basic functions and terminal infrastructure processes in place.

These terminals offer many different advantages, including:

– Proximity to major trade corridors, ports, and population centers  

– The ability to handle a wide range of cargo types 

– A lower environmental footprint

When analyzing intermodal terminals for your transportation needs, consider the following:

  1. Do you require the use of rail-mounted gantry cranes? Is this an important factor in the execution of your intermodal transportation process?
  2. Is there a local terminal manager? What kind of local support is there?
  3. Are double-sided rail access mounts and ladders available? Will your shipments require the use of one?
  4. What international and domestic relations does the terminal have? Is expansion into European countries and other markets important.
  5. Is there sufficient parking space?
  6. When handling equipment, what intermodal operators are involved?
  7. Is there a dedicated operational company?
  8. Will you require and/or is it rail-side access?
  9. What is local demand like?
  10. What market segments does the terminal or yard specialise in, if any?
  11. Is there interim storage facilities available in cases of delays or emergencies?

Defining what Intermodal Transportation is.

Intermodal transport is the transfer of goods from one transport mode of transportation to another, such as when cargo is transferred from a ship to a train.

Time and cost of transportation, availability of services, and legal and insurance issues are just a few of the factors that must be considered when selecting a shipping method.

There are many actors involved in the transportation of products, such as shippers and logistics providers, as well as government agencies.

Intermodal shipping containers allow for the more efficient and less costly movement of goods because they can be transported on land, water, or air.

Intermodals are typically used for manufactured products that ship in large volumes and have standardized sizes for packaging or units.

Intermodals provide an alternative to traditional break-bulk cargo handling methods by simplifying the loading and unloading process at ports, and at rail and road network points as well.

By reducing labor costs and time required at each intermodal terminal stop, intermodal services can also save energy and emissions by requiring fewer trucks on the road.

Intermodal Transport Services

Canada has over 41,700 route kilometres of rail network tracks, 559 marine port facilities, 1.13 million two-lane equivalent public roads, and 81 airports – a Transportation Association of Canada (TAC) report.

The report, with project funding partners such as Alberta Transportation, Metrolinx, Ministère des Transports du Québec and the Region of Peel is a look at the history, purpose, and operation of goods movement in Canada.

Canada’s trade is built off the backbone between three main corridors:

1. The Western Asia-Pacific Corridor. Established in 2006 with the launch of the Asia–Pacific Gateway and Corridor Initiative (APGCI)

2. The Ontario-Quebec Corridor. The principal economic corridor of Canada supports $560 billion of trade.

3. And the Atlantic Corridor. A transportation network of intermodal and rail terminals that connect North America to European countries and markets in the Caribbean, Latin America, and Asia via the Suez Canal

intermodal terminal

Canada is a vast country with people and goods moving in and out of the country every day. Intermodal terminals are responsible for this movement, giving Canadian businesses access to markets all over the world. With so many different modes of transportation available, it can be difficult to keep track of who is running what terminal or where they’re located.

At RailGateway we want to simplify the intermodal supply chain process and industry by offering our clients unparalleled customer service while saving them time and money.

Whether you’re shipping from Moncton to Vancouver, Toronto to Winnipeg to Calgary, and back again – we have the experience you need to ship your cargo from the east coast to the west. Contact us for your FREE no-obligation rail freight quote.

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