Saint John NB (New Brunswick Canada)

Port Saint John NB is New Brunswick Canada's largest port city, Canada's 4th busiest cruise port and also the country's 3rd largest cargo port by shipping volume (dry-liquid-break bulk carriers and container ships). It is known widely as the "Fundy City" because of its location on the north shore of Bay of Fundy, at the mouth of St John River. The city has population around 70,000 (metro over 128,000).

Port Saint John's cruise shipping business started in 1988. The industry annually generates US$68+ million in economic impact, including direct spending by cruise lines and tourists (passengers and crew) and local jobs.

Prior to the opening of Saint Lawrence Seaway (1959), Port St John functioned as winter cargo port for Montreal when shipping was unable due to ice in the Gulf of Saint Lawrence and St Lawrence River. In 1889, the Canadian Pacific Railway Company opened a train line from Montreal to St John across Maine (USA) and the majority of its Transatlantic shipping (passenger and cargo) operations were transferred to port St John during winter months. The port fell into decline after the seaway opening (officially in 1959) and the beginning of year-round icebreaker ship support services in the 1960s.

As the current-day city moves away from its industrial past, it develops new economies - and especially cruise shipping tourism, with 1,5+ million visitors (plus 200,000+ cruise tourists) annually. The fast-growing cruise industry supports many small businesses locally, as well as large waterfront development projects - like the real estate sites Fundy Quay (hotel-office-condo space) and Harbourfront Residences (condos at Three Sisters Inc).

Port Saint John (locode CASJB) is currently ranked Canada's 3rd-largest by cargo tonnage. Its main businesses are bulk cargoes (dry-liquid-break), TEU-containers (via boxships) and cruise passenger shipping. The Port's cruise business started in 1989 with the unscheduled arrival of Cunard Princess (1976-1995; 1975-built as "Cunard Conquest"/2022-scrapped as "Golden Iris") diverted from Bermuda due to Hurricane Hugo/June 1-Nov 30, 1989)

St John NB has a long shipbuilding history at the city's drydock (one of the world's largest). Until the first decade of the 21st century, the largest shipyard in Canada, Irving Shipbuilding, was an important employer. During the 1980s-1990s the shipyard built for the Canadian Navy 9 of 12 Halifax-class multi-purpose patrol frigates. However, it failed to buckle to Union pressure and stopped production.

The cruising season runs from April through November. The Port's cruise business contributes ~USD 50 million annually to NB's economy (FY2016 economic impact study data). Of the total impact, USD 21,5M was direct spending (by cruise companies on services, and passengers-crew ashore) and USD 12,5M in personal income. The cruise port generated and supported 298 direct local jobs. In 2022, the Port Authority reported that cruise shipping's annual economic impact was US$ 68M.

In 2016, the cruise port handled a total of 63 ship calls and 143,926 passengers plus 59,003 crew. The total impact on the NB's economy was USD 41,5 million.

During season 2017, the port handled a total 64 ship calls and 208,818 tourists, (147,736 passengers plus 61,082 crew). This was an increase of 3% (over 2016) and USD 49,9M impact on New Brunswick's economy (20% increase over 2016). The total impact included USD 21,5M (direct spending) and USD 12,5M (personal income), plus 298 direct jobs. In 2017, the port had 12 double cruise ship days (Sept 5, 12, 13, 19, 20, 21, 26, Oct 5, 10, 16, 18, 19), 4 triple (Sept 27, Oct 4, 11, 17), 2 maiden port calls (RCI0Royal Caribbean's Vision of the Seas and TUI's Mein Schiff 6) and 2 Disney Magic visits (Sept 30, Oct 4). One of the world's largest passenger ships - Anthem of the Seas, had 4 scheduled visits (Sept 5, 19, Oct 5, 19).

In 2018 (celebrating its 30th cruise season) Port St John NB's schedule (May 1 through November 2) included 75 ship calls with ~176,000 passengers plus 70,000 crew. This represented 19% increase (passengers) and 13% (ship calls) over 2017. Season 2018's highlights were 14 double-ship days, 2 triple-ship days, 5 maiden port calls (Asuka 2, Hebridean Sky, Adventure OTS, AIDAvita, Norwegian Escape) and 5 new to-the-port company lines (AIDA, Noble Caledonia, Pearl Seas Cruises, NYK Cruises Japan).

For the pre-COVID 2020 season, the cruise port announced a record 92 ship calls (15 different companies) with estimated ~200,000 tourists (pax+crew). The schedule included 8x triple ship days, 8x double ship days, 11x maiden port calls. In 2020 was planned the opening of Fort La Tour National Historic Site of Canada (an archaeological site with the remains of a 17th-century fortified fur-trading post).

In August 2021, Saint John Port Authority was provided with ~CAD 1,745 million (~USD 1,4M) for the "container village" project. This infrastructure project aimed to support both the local tourism industry and the waterfront businesses.

• The non-repayable contribution included CAD 1,295M from Canada's Federal Government (thru Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency) and CAD 0,45M from New Brunswick's Government.
• The "container village" is a new waterfront facility consisting of customized TEUs/containers (rented to local businesses, retail chain shops, hospitality companies and vendors), a stage (for live performances), bar lounge, plaza.

Following the 2-year cruise shipping pause due to the global crisis, for season 2022 (May through November) the Port's schedule had booked a total of 70 ship berthings (including 11x maiden) by 13x lines/brands and handled ~184000 passengers plus ~70000 crew. The first visit (in 2+ years) was RSSC-Regent's Seven Seas Navigator (on April 28th) staying overnight.

The Port's largest passenger vessel to date is Oasis of the Seas. It docked at Marco Polo Cruise Terminal on June 8, 2022 (port stay 9:20 am - 9:25 pm). During Oasis OTS' visit was also the official inauguration of "AREA 506 Container Village". In August was opened the Crew Lounge (exclusive venue for cruise ship staff). The two-level facility (part of AREA 506) was constructed from 3x recycled TEU-containers and has a rooftop terrace, comfortable seating, tables with USB chargers, air-conditioning, free Wi-Fi.

On Sept 29, 2022, Port St John NB welcomed its 3-millionth cruise ship tourist. The occasion was celebrated with a special harbor fireworks show at Fundy Quay.

In 2023 (May 7-Nov 7), the Port handled a total of 74 cruise ship calls (out of 86 booked berthings, representing +16,4% over 2022) and was visited by a total of 244,017 tourists (172,193 passengers plus 71,824 crew). The season featured 7x three-ship days, 9x two-ship days, 4x overnight stays, 9x inaugural/first-time ship calls.

Season 2024 ended with 74 handled cruise ship berthings (including 10 maiden calls, 11 overnights, 15 two-ship days, 6 three-ship days) and received 232,116 tourists (163,251 passengers + 68,865 crew).

The Port's 2025 cruise schedule lists 78 ship calls, with an expected ~180,000 tourists.​

Saint John NB cruise terminal