Discover an international manufacturing, cargo, and logistics hub and your gateway to global markets.
Home > Sectors > Global Logistics & Supply Chain
The Edmonton Region is a nexus point for business exports and global logistics. Canada’s 15 free trade agreements across 51 countries, opens access to 1.5 billion consumers, making the Edmonton Region your supply chain solutionÂ
The Region’s port access, extensive railway networks, connection to strategic road transportation corridors, the Edmonton International Airport’s cargo capacity, and our expertise in artificial intelligence, make the Edmonton Region a prime location for investing in distribution centres and logistics. Â
The Edmonton Region’s strategic location as North America’s northernmost major city makes it a vital international trade corridor.
The Region is well-connected to Canada’s western ports, including the Port of Prince Rupert, the closest port to Asia, and North America’s fastest-growing and deepest water port. The Region is served by two major railways, Canadian National Railways (CN) Railways and Canadian Pacific Kansas City (CPKC), with 16 rail intermodal and storage facilities operating 7,000 miles of track. These rail networks connect the Region to eight Canadian provinces, 16 U.S.states, and Mexico.
Additionally, the Region is located along the CANAMEX trade corridor, a series of highways linking Canada to the United States and Mexico, representing nearly $4 billion in trade.
Essential railway connections to dozens of major US and Mexican cities
The entire Edmonton Region is a foreign trade zone, with favourable regulations and incentives
Edmonton International Airport (YEG) is the largest airport in Canada by land mass and is home to the world’s largest solar farm built at an airport
Home to one of only three cargo airports in Canada with a 24-hour operational capacity
The Edmonton International Airport (YEG) is Canada’s most northern and largest airport by area. It has been tagged as Canada’s innovation airport. EIA is open 24 hours a day, with no operational restrictions, moving 8.2 million passengers and 43,000 tons of cargo in 2018.
The airport’s specialized cargo cluster development, Cargo Village, has 8 integrated courier/freight carriers, 3 independent cargo handlers, 40 freight forwarders and customs brokers, and 6 cargo terminals. The airport is currently undergoing a $36 million cargo expansion.
YEG is the first Canadian airport to receive CEIV certification for its expertise in the safe handling of temperature-sensitive cargo such as food products and pharmaceuticals.
YEG has international partnerships with Air China, Korean Air, Icelandair, Air France-KLM, and it is Canada’s closest major airport to Asia by circumpolar routes. The airport is a northern hub, connecting Northern Canadian communities and territories to Alberta, Canada, and worldwide.
Learn More
The Edmonton Region is linked to major ports on Canada’s West Coast by rail, including the Ports of Vancouver and Prince Rupert.
Prince Rupert is North America’s fastest growing port. It is the deepest port in North America and the closest to Asia. It provides access to over 170 countries. Shipping from the Port of Prince Rupert can shave up to 4 days off shipping to key Asian markets. The Port of Prince Rupert is 23 hours closer to Shanghai than Vancouver and 69 hours closer to Shanghai than Los Angeles. It’s known as Canada’s fastest-growing trade gateway and the Edmonton Region is the last major city that goods flow through when entering or exiting the port.
Visit Port of Prince Rupert
This is Canada’s largest and most diversified port. The port handles $1 of every $3 of Canada’s trade in goods outside North America. Its connection to the Port of Prince Rupert, which is one of North America’s fastest-growing ports, is a strategic advantage.
Vist Port of Vancouver
There are 16 rail intermodal and storage facilities in the Edmonton Region. These facilities are operated by Canadian National (CN) and Canadian Pacific (CP) ‚ the two top freight transportation players in Canada.
CN and CP operate 7,000 miles of track in Alberta, connecting the Region to 8 Canadian provinces, 16 U.S. states, and Mexico.
CN operates Regional facilities for automotive distribution and bulk handling as well as metal and forest product distribution centres. Over 58 million tons of commodities were moved by rail from Alberta to other North American Regions in 2016.
View Connectivity Map
Canadian National’s Walker Yard in Edmonton is one of the largest rail yards in Canada, spanning 50 blocks and connecting the Region to Fort McMurray.
Complex and well-built road networks weave throughout the Edmonton Region.
The Anthony Henday Drive circles the city of Edmonton, linking the Region to highways 2, 16, and the airport, easing the connection of Regional businesses.
Our Region is located along the CANAMEX trade corridor. This series of highways link Canada to the United States and Mexico, representing $3.95 billion in trade.
Major pipelines run through our Region including TransMountain, Keystone, and Enbridge help deliver oil, gas and hydrocarbon products throughout North America. The Region helps Alberta move 2.2 million energy barrels per day.
The Edmonton Region serves as a hub for the provincial pipeline system, helping deliver oil, gas, and hydrocarbon products throughout North America. Alberta’s pipeline network stretches 373,000 km and has a takeaway capacity of 2.2 million barrels per day.
The Edmonton Region includes 50 km of hydrogen pipelines with plans for more to support the emerging hydrogen economy. Primary oil and gas are piped into the Region, where it flows to other locations or is used as feedstocks for the local petrochemical industry before export.
Port Alberta is an initiative championed by Edmonton Global and the Edmonton International Airport, highlighting the strengths of the Region as an inland port. A product of its four key connections – air, road, rail, and pipeline – and its strategic access to Canada’s western ports, have created a combined set of infrastructure that provides access to global markets. Â
As a combined effort of many government and non-government organizations, Port Alberta represents a diverse partnership between the Government of Alberta, Transport Canada, Prairies Economic Development, and many more.Â
Visit the Port Alberta Website
Edmonton International Airport is the largest Canadian airport by land mass and the 5th busiest in the nation, while maintaining 24/7 operations.
Companies in the Region benefit from the lowest corporate tax rate in Canada, low cost of living, as well as affordable office rates and talent. 
Businesses in the Region benefit from access to government grants, a network of research institutes and accelerators, as well as a collaborative environment within a network of innovative companies.
The entire Edmonton Region is an inland port where, air, road, rail, and pipelines converge to create a global logistics hub
Discover organisations that are driving innovation and growth in the Region’s logistics sector.
Parkland County's YEG2 Amazon fulfilment centre is the largest in Western Canada. It stands out as 635,000 square feet comprising of five levels - giving it an effective storage area of about 2.9 million square feet. It is the most technologically advanced in Canada and is fully automated with over 5,000 robots.
YEG and Drone Delivery Canada (DDC) are excited to enter into trials for drone cargo delivery within controlled air space. Through a partnership between YEG, Apple Express and Ziing Logistics, YEG will be home to the commercial delivery trials and eventual commercial service.
MTE Logistix offers 3PL and contract warehousing in Edmonton and Calgary, providing short- and long-term warehouse storage, order fulfillment, distribution, transportation, and freight services to clients across Canada and around the world with more than 3.5 million sq. ft of warehouse space, 20+ rail doors, and 200+ dock doors.
Vexsl is a secure logistics solutions provider headquartered in the Edmonton Region. The company is championing sustainable solutions through its VEXSL Hydrogen Project which is introducing hydrogen fuel technology to its fleets.
Bison Transport is a privately held transportation company, established in 1969. With a network throughout Canada, the U.S., and Mexico, Bison is a leading asset-based freight solutions provider that employs over 4,000 professionals.
Purolator is a leading Canadian courier and logistics company, specializing in integrated freight, parcel, and supply chain solutions. With a strong national network and commitment to innovation, Purolator serves diverse industries.
Rosenau Transport is one of Western Canada’s largest shipping services carrier. They are home to a network of over 28 unique terminal locations throughout four provinces, allowing us to retain direct control over all operations.
January 26, 2024
January 15, 2024
November 28, 2023
North American Free Trade Agreement or Canada-United States-Mexico
The Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement with the European Union
The Comprehensive an Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership
If you have any questions, require further information, or would like to book a consultation, please send us a message.
Director of Trade
