If you have ever spent time on the Vancouver waterfront, you have definitely noticed them!

Dozens of massive cargo ships sit floating in English Bay and the inner harbor. It is one of the most common questions our guests ask when they step onto a Sea Vancouver boat. People want to know what they are doing out there, where they came from, and why they are just sitting around.

Why Are They Just Sitting There?

The short answer is that the harbour has its own giant parking system. These vessels are waiting for their turn to pull up to the docks. The Port of Vancouver is incredibly busy, so ships cannot just roll up to a berth whenever they arrive. Instead, they have to wait in designated anchorage spots until their specific terminal is ready to unload their cargo or fill their hulls with Canadian exports. Depending on global supply chains and weather conditions, a ship might sit out in the bay for a few days or even a couple of weeks.

Fast Facts About Canada’s Largest Port

To understand why there are always so many ships waiting, it helps to look at the sheer scale of Vancouver’s harbor operations. The Port of Vancouver is the largest port in Canada and the third largest in all of North America by total tonnage.

The harbor handles roughly 140 million tonnes of cargo every single year, trading with over 170 different economies around the globe. When you look out at those ships, you are looking at billions of dollars in international trade. They are filled with everything from cars and electronics to Canadian grains, lumber, and liquid energy heading overseas.

See the Real Scale From the Water

Seeing these vessels from the beaches of Stanley Park or Kitsilano is one thing, but viewing them from a boat completely changes your perspective. When you cruise past them on a Sea Vancouver tour, you truly appreciate their unbelievable size. You can see the massive anchor chains dropping into the ocean and look right up at the towering hulls that rise multiple stories above the water.

Next time you are out on the water with us, take a close look at the flags flying from the back of the ships. It is a fun game to try and spot where in the world they traveled from before making their temporary home in our harbor!