Did you know? Port Saint John is the largest Atlantic Canadian port by cargo volume and one of the fastest-growing container ports on the East Coast of North America! Connectivity with CN gets your goods quickly and efficiently to hubs in Toronto, Montreal and the U.S. Midwest – and markets beyond.

Port Saint John benefits from one-day transit to major population bases in Central Canada and the U.S. Midwest. With CN’s network, Canadian cargo of any commodity can reach Canadian markets faster and seamlessly. For U.S. cargo, a single border crossing minimizes delays and optimizes time to market. The year-round ice-free Port, with its 9.5 meters channel depth, 17.1 meters berth depth, and skilled labour force, offers competitive advantages to move your next shipments to market.

Through its connection to this key port, CN is well-positioned to deliver a seamless supply chain approach for customers. A key example is the Port’s Barrack Point Potash Terminal. Potash, an important plant nutrient, is a key ingredient to improve crop quality and increase food production, helping feed a growing world. As global demand for potash continues to rise, Canada has a strong competitive position in international markets. With population growth and limited farmland, improving crop yields will play a critical role in meeting the increasing demand for food around the world, driving solid demand for fertilizers. With approximately 2 million metric tonnes (MMT) of terminal capacity, our supply chain partner Canpotex is set up to meet the growing demand for potash in global markets. 

By partnering with CN, customers gain a competitive advantage to reach new markets and grow their business with fluid access to fast-growing fertilizer regions in Latin America and Asia. In 2023 alone, over 2.2 million MT of potash were exported exclusively via CN.

And there is room to grow! CN has invested significantly to implement long-train operations in Eastern Canada, doubling the length of some rail sidings from 6,000 to 12,000 feet, acquiring new high-horsepower locomotives, and expanding the use of distributed power. By leveraging available capacity in Eastern Canada and coordinating with Port Saint John, CN runs 205-car unit trains at 30,000 tonnes from Saskatchewan to the East Coast.