Survey of Marine Vessel Operators, 2023
Released: 2025-05-16
Highlights
In 2023, there were 870 marine vessel owners and operators in Canada who earned an estimated $10.9 billion in revenue from their vessel operations.
Almost three-fifths (57.2%) of marine vessels used to move freight experienced supply chain challenges in 2023, including extreme weather events, seafarer shortages, labour challenges at ports or terminals and delays at ports.
Majority of marine vessels used for the transportation of passengers and goods
Canada's marine industry includes a diverse range of operators, from small family-owned businesses to large corporations. Some vessel operators may have a single vessel, while others manage extensive fleets, which include various types of ships, such as cargo vessels, tankers and passenger ferries. This diversity reflects the varying scales of operations across different marine activities.
In 2023, there were 870 marine vessel owners and operators in Canada. Among the vessels operated, 56.9% were operated by businesses primarily engaged in the transportation of passengers and goods, 21.8% were operated by businesses engaged in other activities (such as marine cargo handling, port and harbour operations and marine salvage services), 13.2% were operated by businesses involved in scenic and sightseeing marine transportation and 8.0% were operated by businesses providing support activities for water transportation, other navigational services to shipping, and ship piloting.
General and dry bulk are the most common type of freight transported
In 2023, nearly three-fifths (57.2%) of vessel owners and operators transported passengers or commodities, or both. More than one-third (33.8%) of vessel owners and operators transported only passengers and 17.9% transported only commodities, while 5.5% transported both. Conversely, 42.8% of vessel owners and operators conducted activities other than transportation, such as marine cargo handling and marine salvage services.
The primary types of freight transported in 2023 were general cargo (59.5%), dry bulk cargo (36.6%), liquid bulk cargo (34.2%) and project or breakbulk cargo (23.4%) (Chart 1). Containerized freight accounted for 9.3% of the freight transported by businesses that owned or operated vessels.
Chart 1
Percentage of businesses transporting freight by vessels, by freight type, Canada, 2023
Marine vessel owners' and operators' revenue in 2023
In 2023, marine vessel owners and operators (excluding Crown corporations and government entities) earned an estimated $10.9 billion in revenue from their vessel operations. Businesses transporting only commodities accounted for 71.4% of total revenue, while those transporting only passengers represented 5.1% of revenue. Businesses that conducted no transportation activities accounted for 6.3% of revenue.
Commodity carriers more likely to report experiencing supply chain challenges
As with many businesses, marine vessel owners and operators may experience disruptions that impact their ability to acquire inputs, products or supplies. In 2023, businesses that only transported commodities were the most likely to experience supply chain challenges (57.2%). The challenges these businesses were most likely to face were extreme weather events (32.9%), seafarer shortages (24.5%), labour challenges at ports or terminals (17.3%) and delays at ports due to regulatory requirements (14.1%) (Chart 2).
Conversely, businesses that did not engage in transportation activities in 2023 were least likely to experience supply chain challenges (19.8%).
Chart 2
Supply chain challenges experienced by marine vessel operators that only transport commodities, 2023
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Note to readers
The Canadian marine industry is important to the economy, contributing to employment, gross domestic product and transportation. Marine transportation facilitates the movement of both goods and people, supporting trade, tourism and regional connectivity, making it an essential component of the national transportation network.
Data from the Survey of Marine Vessel Operators are now available upon request. The survey collected information from Canadian-domiciled marine vessel owners and operators on the number of vessels owned and operated, vessel revenue and expenses, the type of freight transported, and supply chain challenges experienced. The survey provides a current snapshot of the sector.
The survey excluded vessels with a gross tonnage of less than 15 tonnes as well as businesses that operate private pleasure craft, commercial fishing boats and defence vessels. The tables provide data by location of business, activity, marine vessel operation size and operation by transportation type.
Businesses that participated in the survey included those involved in water transportation of passengers and goods (North American Industry Classification System [NAICS] 483), scenic and sightseeing marine transportation (NAICS 4872), support activities for water transportation (NAICS 4883), as well as businesses listed on the Canadian vessel registry that are classified to NAICS other than those listed above. Marine vessel operators include businesses that engage in the transportation of goods or passengers, or both, as well as businesses that conduct no transportation activities. Businesses that conduct no transportation activities include those that perform marine dredging and salvage services, marine cargo hauling activities and port and harbour authorities.
Statistics Canada would like to thank Canadian businesses that own or operate marine vessels and took the time to complete this survey, enabling a better understanding of the vital marine sector in Canada.
The Survey of Marine Vessel Operators is a partnership between Statistics Canada and Transport Canada. To learn more about the transportation sector, please visit the Transportation Data and Information Hub, which provides Canadians with online access to comprehensive statistics and indicators for the country's transportation sector.
Contact information
For more information, or to enquire about the concepts, methods or data quality of this release, contact us (toll-free 1-800-263-1136; 514-283-8300; infostats@statcan.gc.ca) or Media Relations (statcan.mediahotline-ligneinfomedias.statcan@statcan.gc.ca).
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