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North America is rich in grain that is in high demand in Asia

Connect to the powerful CN rail network and capitalize on a wealth of import possibilities.

The CN network runs through the heart of major grain production areas in North America. Some of the leading global agri-businesses have grain and oilseed processing plants located on our rail lines.

CN can ship grain from North America to Asia
  • Viterra
  • Cargill
  • Louis Dreyfus
  • JRI (Pioneer Grain)
  • Canadian Wheat Board

We ship grain products for domestic and Asian markets

Most of the grain, oilseeds and specialty grains produced in western Canada is exported. Specialty grains (peas, malt, alfalfa, pulse, malting barley and milling wheat) are shipped from 80 high-throughput elevators, located on our network in the grain fields of British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba. These elevators can efficiently load 50 to 100 railcars at once.

CN also ships corn and soybeans from the U.S. Midwest (Illinois and Iowa).

CN grain container stuffing facilities and key bulk export gateways
CN can ship grain from North America to China

We have the equipment to transport grain

Whether you are shipping by bulk or by container, CN provides the safe, efficient and cost-effective transportation of grain, in unit trains (100 cars or more), multiple car blocks or single car shipments:

  • Our high-cube and jumbo covered hopper cars have a capacity of 98 to 113 tons, are easy to load and unload, and protect your grain products from the elements.
  • 40-foot and 20-foot marine containers (usable cube of 1,169 cu. ft.) are provided to our import/export customers.

CN has container stuffing facilities to prepare for export

The Edmonton Grain Distribution Centre is a state-of-the-art container transload facility in Alberta that handles specialty grain exports to Asia.

CN also has access to grain container stuffing facilities at the Port of Vancouver via Delta Port, Centerm and Vanterm.

Most of the grain we carry destined for Asia moves via our high capacity (128,700-kg) line to high capacity elevators at Port of Vancouver's terminal or Prince Rupert's Ridley Terminal, and are then transloaded to vessels bound for Asia.

We can deliver your grain faster

Transit times to Asia from Canada's west coast offer you a competitive shipping advantage.

Vessel Transit Times
Canada's west coast - Asia
Prince Rupert to Tianjin 15 days
Prince Rupert to Shanghai 14 days
Prince Rupert to Qingdao 14 days
Prince Rupert to Guangzhou 17 days
Prince Rupert to Hong Kong 16 days
Vancouver to Tianjin 16 days
Vancouver to Shanghai 16 days
Vancouver to Qingdao 16 days
Vancouver to Guangzhou 18 days
Vancouver to Hong Kong 18 days
Vessel Transit Times
Gulf of Mexico Ports - Asia
Gulf ports to Beiha 36-37 days
Gulf ports to Qingdao 33-34 days
Gulf ports to Tianjin 33-34 days
Gulf ports to Guangzhou 36-37 days

Transit times based on bulk vessel speed of 13.5 knots

Port of Prince Rupert - North America's Northwest Gateway

The Port of Prince Rupert is the site of a high-capacity container gateway. Phase 1, now completed, has an estimated capacity of 500,000 TEUs, with up to two million-TEU capacity in the future.

Port of Prince Rupert shipping advantages:

  • Closest port (by 58 hours sailing time) to Asia
  • No congestion
  • Water depth at Prince Rupert Grain – 14.5 metres
  • Prince Rupert Grain berth handles ships up to 145,000 DWT

Contact the China team today

CN WorldWide provides an extension of CN's services. Contact our team of experts to find out how we can help connect you to a wealth of import and export opportunities. CN WorldWide has offices in China in Shanghai, Shenzhen, Tianjin, Qingdao, and Beijing, as well as in South America.

Call 1-888-269-9605 today or send an email.

We have the power to deliver.