Vancouver (Westridge)
Canada's Pacific crude outlet. We arrange Aframax freight, terminal scheduling and inspection for crude loading at Westridge Marine Terminal on Burrard Inlet.
Since the Trans Mountain Expansion entered service in May 2024, Alberta crude has a large Pacific outlet. The pipeline runs from Edmonton to Burnaby, where Westridge Marine Terminal loads tankers on Burrard Inlet bound for China, other Asian buyers and US West Coast refineries.
Westridge is a working terminal with tight vessel limits. Aframax tankers are the largest that call, and they usually load part cargoes to clear the Second Narrows. We fix suitable tonnage, align loading slots with pipeline deliveries and appoint inspectors for quantity and quality at the berth.
Loading within the inlet's limits
Tankers reach Westridge through the Second Narrows of Burrard Inlet, where draft is limited. Aframaxes generally load to about 80 percent of capacity, which affects freight per barrel. Larger cargoes for Asia are sometimes built up by reverse lightering offshore. The port authority began preliminary work on dredging in 2025, but no deepening is approved yet.
Pricing and regulation
Argus launched FOB Vancouver assessments in September 2024 for Access Western Blend-type and Cold Lake-type crude, and Platts also assesses TMX barrels. The inland reference remains WCS at Hardisty. The Canada Energy Regulator oversees the pipeline and approved a new tolls settlement in September 2026 that lets Trans Mountain contract up to 90 percent of capacity.
- Aframax and part-cargo freight from Westridge
- Loading slot coordination with pipeline deliveries
- Independent quantity and quality inspection at the berth
- Tracking to China, other Asian ports and the US West Coast
Frequently asked questions
Why can tankers not load full Aframax cargoes at Westridge?
Draft limits at the Second Narrows of Burrard Inlet restrict how deep a laden tanker can sit, so most load about 80 percent of capacity.
Who regulates Trans Mountain tolls?
The Canada Energy Regulator. It approved a new tolls settlement in September 2026.
Where does Westridge crude go?
Mostly to Asia, particularly China, and to refineries on the US West Coast.
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