The Port of Nanaimo generated an estimated $2.4 billion in economic activity in 2025, according to a new economic impact study. Port-related activities supported more than 8,000 jobs, contributed $1.1 billion to GDP and generated $557 million in wages across Canada, British Columbia and Vancouver Island. The study found the port’s economic impact has increased by approximately 50% since its previous assessment in 2014. The ongoing Duke Point terminal expansion is expected to provide further economic benefits, supporting hundreds of additional jobs and strengthening Vancouver Island’s role in Canada's trade network.

CN and CPKC have released their 2026-27 grain plans, outlining capacity and infrastructure investments to support continued strong movement of Canadian grain to domestic and international markets. CN expects to transport between 30 and 33 million tonnes of grain and processed products, while CPKC says it can provide capacity for up to approximately 34.5 million tonnes. Both railways are investing in locomotives, high-capacity hopper cars and network improvements to strengthen reliability and efficiency. CPKC also reported a record 30.66 million tonnes of Canadian grain transported during the 2025-26 crop year. Both companies emphasized that efficient coordination across railways, terminals, ports and vessels remains critical to overall supply chain performance.

Canadian grain and oilseed exports have recovered strongly during the 2025-26 crop year despite early concerns over Chinese tariffs on canola. Canola exports are expected to exceed nine million tonnes, making this the fourth-largest export year despite a slow start. Barley shipments have recorded particularly strong growth, driven largely by increased Chinese demand, while Canadian wheat exports are on track to set a new record. The stronger export performance has helped reduce inventories of several major crops and could provide price support as farmers enter the 2026 harvest.

Nutrien and Mosaic are reporting weaker fertilizer demand as elevated prices pressure farmers and reduce application rates in key agricultural markets. Supply disruptions linked to the Iran conflict have particularly affected sulphur availability, pushing phosphate fertilizer prices higher and forcing some producers to curtail production. Nutrien reported lower nitrogen and potash sales volumes, although stronger prices partially offset the decline. Industry officials warn that reduced fertilizer use could affect global crop yields, while potash demand is expected to remain comparatively resilient due to its relative affordability.

BC Ferries has issued a Request for Expression of Interest (RFEOI) on BC Bid to gauge market interest in the potential purchase of BC Ferries vessels, Tachek and Quadra Queen II, both built in 1969 have reached the age of retirement under BC Ferries’ retirement plan. The vessels details, along with the stated intent and process are provided in the RFEOI. The deadline to responds to the RFEOI is September 30, 2026.

The Fraser River Pilots have announced their 2026-2027 Committee, with Capt. Steve Swanson serving as Chair alongside committee members Capt. Randy Smigel, Capt. Blake White, and Capt. Gord Cooper.  The Committee looks forward to collaborating with industry stakeholders during what is expected to be a busy year, with several significant initiatives and projects on the horizon.  The Committee reaffirmed its commitment to promoting safe and efficient navigation on the Fraser River while maintaining open communication with industry partners, and encouraged stakeholders to continue providing operational feedback, questions, and ideas.

The federal government has moved forward with the process of potentially designating a proposed West Coast oil pipeline as a national interest project under the Building Canada Act. The designation could accelerate regulatory approvals for the roughly 1,250-kilometre pipeline, which would transport up to one million barrels of crude oil per day from Alberta to the BC coast for export. Public comments on the designation are being accepted until September 18, while consultations with Indigenous communities are also underway. The project forms a key part of a broader federal-Alberta energy agreement but continues to face criticism from environmental groups and political opponents over its economic and environmental implications.

The Province of British Columbia is developing an Industrial Land Strategy and is consulting with industry stakeholders to better understand the challenges affecting industrial land availability, readiness, and long-term use. The engagement sessions are intended to identify the most significant barriers, explore opportunities for improvement, and determine where government action could have the greatest impact. To provide your perspective on BC's industrial land strategy, complete the survey by September 8th to provide your input and help shape future provincial priorities and policy actions.

Finnish state-owned Arctia will deploy the multipurpose icebreaker MSV Nordica to the Canadian Arctic under an initial one-year charter through Inuit-owned Qikiqtaaluk Horizon Arctic Services. The vessel will provide additional capacity for Canadian Coast Guard operations including icebreaking, ice management, search and rescue, and environmental response. The charter comes as Canada works to strengthen its Arctic presence amid increasing shipping activity and strategic interest in the region.

Fisheries and Oceans Canada has completed its annual Operation North Pacific Guard, targeting illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing activity on the high seas. Canadian personnel patrolled more than 23,000 kilometres, monitored hundreds of fishing vessels and conducted 30 at-sea inspections, identifying 52 potential violations of international fisheries rules. Separate aerial patrols from Japan inspected 344 vessels and detected another 21 potential violations. The operation involved cooperation with Japan, the United States and South Korea and supports broader efforts to protect Pacific fish stocks, marine ecosystems and global seafood supply chains.

Resolve Marine has relocated its Pacific Northwest facility to a larger waterfront location on the Foss Waterway in Tacoma, Washington, strengthening its marine service and emergency response capabilities. The new facility provides dedicated dock access, expanded yard capacity, upgraded salvage equipment and a larger inventory of emergency response resources. It will support services including marine salvage, environmental response, commercial diving, vessel inspections, marine construction and repairs. Resolve says the investment will improve response times and provide greater operational flexibility for customers throughout the Pacific Northwest.

The White House is reportedly considering extending its temporary Jones Act waiver as part of efforts to ease US gasoline prices and improve flexibility in domestic fuel transportation. The current exemption, which expires August 16, has allowed nearly 200 shipments to use foreign vessels for domestic movements and is already the longest waiver of its kind. Administration officials are considering narrowing its scope amid concerns from lawmakers and maritime groups about impacts on the US domestic fleet and national security. While officials say the waiver has helped lower fuel costs in some regions, analysts suggest its overall impact on gasoline prices remains relatively modest.

US President Donald Trump has criticized ExxonMobil and Chevron for earning what he described as excessive profits amid elevated oil and gasoline prices. Trump called on the companies to lower prices for consumers as fuel costs remain high due partly to geopolitical tensions and disruptions affecting major shipping routes. The comments highlight growing tension between the administration’s push to expand domestic energy production and its efforts to keep consumer fuel prices affordable. Rising gasoline prices have become an increasing economic and political concern ahead of the US midterm elections.

Cheniere Energy has raised its 2026 earnings forecast after stronger LNG demand helped the company exceed second-quarter expectations. The US exporter shipped 184 LNG cargoes during the quarter, nearly 20% more than a year earlier, while LNG revenues increased to $5.64 billion. Cheniere also increased the lower end of its annual production forecast as additional capacity comes online at its Corpus Christi expansion. The results reflect continued growth in US LNG exports as the country strengthens its position as the world’s largest LNG supplier.

SSA Marine and the Port of Gulfport have commissioned a new Liebherr LHM 550 hybrid mobile harbour crane to expand cargo-handling capacity and improve terminal efficiency. The 124-tonne capacity crane will eventually operate on electric power, supported by $1.6 million in state funding and investment from SSA Marine. It will primarily handle ilmenite sand for Chemours’ nearby manufacturing facility while providing additional flexibility for future cargo growth. The investment forms part of broader efforts to modernize port equipment, improve operational efficiency and support sustainability objectives.

Commercial shipping risks in the Black Sea have escalated sharply following further Russian attacks on vessels and Ukrainian port infrastructure. Industry estimates indicate dozens of ships were struck in July, resulting in seafarer casualties and prompting warnings that commercial vessels remain exposed to aerial, surface and subsea drone attacks. The deteriorating security environment is already reducing tanker loadings and disrupting grain, coal and iron ore movements from the region. Shipping analysts warn that prolonged disruption could reshape trade routes, increase war-risk premiums and further affect global energy and agricultural commodity markets.

Dirty tanker loadings from Russian Black Sea and Sea of Azov ports fell 62% during the final two weeks of July as Ukrainian maritime drone operations disrupted regional shipping. BIMCO reported that exports declined to around 0.98 million barrels per day, with Kazakh crude shipments through the CPC terminal at Novorossiysk experiencing a similar reduction. Shipments to India, the largest destination for Russian exports from the region this year, fell by 66%. BIMCO warns that if current disruption persists, global dirty tanker volumes could decline by around 3% in an already weakening tanker market.

South Korea is looking to expand its presence in sustainable ship recycling through a partnership between Elegant Exit Company, RM Company and ISSAC Green Tech. The companies plan to develop a large-scale facility capable of dismantling major oceangoing vessels using floating drydocks, automation and existing recycling infrastructure. The initiative follows similar efforts in Japan to establish modern domestic ship recycling capacity. The development also comes as Asian maritime nations adapt to stricter environmental and worker-safety standards following the entry into force of the Hong Kong Convention on ship recycling in 2025.

The Panama Canal Authority is introducing additional draft restrictions at the Neopanamax locks as declining water levels and strengthening El Niño conditions raise concerns over another period of drought-related disruption. Maximum permitted draft will fall to 48 feet from August 26 and 47.5 feet from September 3 until further notice. Transit numbers are currently being maintained, supported by water-saving measures introduced following the severe 2023-24 drought. However, further restrictions could force large containerships and gas carriers to reduce cargo loads or consider alternative routes if conditions continue to deteriorate.

Carnival Cruise Line has become the first cruise operator to implement Jotun’s robotic Hull Skating Solution, with the technology being piloted aboard Carnival Pride. The system uses a remotely operated robotic cleaner to regularly inspect and remove marine growth from the vessel’s hull before significant fouling develops. Maintaining a cleaner hull can reduce drag, improve propulsion efficiency, and lower fuel consumption and associated emissions. Carnival will use operational data from the pilot to evaluate the technology’s potential for broader use across its fleet and support its long-term sustainability objectives.