Port guide · UN/LOCODE CA THU
Thunder Bay, Canada
Canada · 48.40° N, 89.23° W · Also listed as Fort William; Port Arthur
The World Port Index classes Thunder Bay as a coastal harbor sheltered by breakwaters on the Lake Superior. It records a channel depth of 6.4 m and a cargo pier depth of 6.4 m. Norfolk is 1,660 km away in a straight line.
- Channel depth
- 6.4 m
- Cargo pier depth
- 6.4 m
- Max vessel length
- 226 m
- From Norfolk
- 1,660 kmGreat-circle distance
- Nearest port guide
- Hamilton920 km away
Depths and vessel limits
The index sets a maximum vessel length of 226 m and a maximum draft of 7.3 m.
- Channel depth
- 6.4 m
- Anchorage depth
- 9.4 m
- Cargo pier depth
- 6.4 m
- Oil terminal depth
- 6.4 m
- Maximum vessel length
- 226 m
- Maximum vessel beam
- 23.8 m
- Maximum vessel draft
- 7.3 m
As recorded in the World Port Index. Gauges run from 0 to 25 m. Confirm current depths and limits with the port before you fix a vessel.
Facilities on record
Arrival and entry
Thunder Bay is listed as a first port of entry. Pilotage is compulsory.
- First port of entry
- Yes
- Pilotage compulsory
- Yes
- Pilotage available
- Yes
- Tug assistance
- Yes
- Arrival notice (ETA message) required
- Yes
- Shelter afforded
- Excellent
- Entrance restricted by tide
- No
- Entrance restricted by swell
- No
- Entrance restricted by ice
- Yes
- Overhead limits
- No
Cargo handling
The heaviest lift class recorded is 50 to 100 tons.
- Wharves
- Yes
- Mobile cranes
- Yes
- Lifts of 50 to 100 tons
- Yes
- Lifts up to 24 tons
- Yes
- Longshore labor
- Yes
Services and supplies
Repair capability is rated major.
- Repairs
- Major
- Dry dock
- Medium
- Electrical repair
- Yes
- Fuel oil
- Yes
- Diesel oil
- Yes
- Potable water
- Yes
- Provisions
- Yes
- Deck supplies
- Yes
- Engine supplies
- Yes
- Shore electricity
- Yes
- Medical facilities
- Yes
- Dirty ballast disposal
- No
- Airport
- Yes
US trade with Canada
- US exports, 2025
- $333.6BLed by machinery and mechanical appliances
- US imports, 2025
- $381.9BLed by mineral fuels and oils
Other ports in Canada
The nearest is Hamilton, 920 km away in a straight line.
- ArgentiaCargo pier 11 m, channel 11 m, container, ro-ro, breakbulk and bulkCA NWP
- Baie ComeauCargo pier 11 m, channel 7.9 mCA BCO
- CaraquetCargo pier 6.4 m, channel 4.9 mCA CAQ
- Chicoutimi (Port Saguenay)Cargo pier 12.5 m, channel 4.9 mCA CHI
- ClarenvilleCargo pier 7.9 m, channel 23.2 m, breakbulk and bulkCA CLE
- Come By Chance HarborCargo pier 14 m, channel 23.2 mCA CBC
- Comox HarborCargo pier 7.9 m, channel 12.5 mCA COX
- Corner BrookCargo pier 9.4 m, channel 9.4 m, container, ro-ro, breakbulk and bulkCA CBK
- CroftonCargo pier 11 mCA CRO
- HalifaxCargo pier 15.5 m, channel 20.1 m, container, ro-ro, breakbulk and bulkCA HAL
- HamiltonCargo pier 7.9 m, channel 7.9 mCA HAM
- Liverpool (Brooklyn)Cargo pier 7.9 m, channel 7.9 mCA BKN
- MontrealCargo pier 9.4 m, channel 11 mCA MTR
- New WestminsterCargo pier 11 m, channel 9.4 mCA NWE
- OshawaCargo pier 6.4 m, channel 7.9 mCA OSH
- Port AlberniCargo pier 12.5 m, channel 23.2 mCA PAB
- Port AliceCargo pier 9.4 m, channel 23.2 mCA PAC
- Port HawkesburyCargo pier 9.4 m, channel 4.9 mCA PHW
- Port McneillCargo pier 6.4 m, channel 11 mCA PMA
- Port MoodyCargo pier 11 m, channel 9.4 mCA PMO
- Prince RupertCargo pier 11 m, channel 23.2 mCA PRR
- QuebecCargo pier 15.5 m, channel 11 mCA QUE
- Sept IlesCargo pier 17.1 m, channel 11 m, container, ro-ro, breakbulk and bulkCA SEI
- SidneyCargo pier 4.9 mCA SDY
- SorelCargo pier 9.4 m, channel 11 mCA SOR
- St John'sCargo pier 17.1 m, channel 11 m, container, ro-ro, breakbulk and bulkCA SJF
- SydneyCargo pier 11 m, channel 11 mCA SYD
- TahsisCargo pier 11 m, channel 23.2 mCA PTA
- TorontoCargo pier 7.9 m, channel 7.9 mCA TOR
- Trois RivieresCargo pier 9.4 m, channel 11 mCA TRR
- UclueletCargo pier 6.4 m, channel 1.8 mCA UCL
- VancouverCargo pier 14 m, channel 23.2 mCA VAN
- Victoria HarborCargo pier 12.5 m, channel 17.1 mCA VIC
Sources
- US trade figures: US Census Bureau, International Trade API, HS2 total exports and general imports for calendar 2024 and 2025, retrieved November 4, 2026.
- Port data: National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency, World Port Index (Pub 150), from NGA's UpdatedPub150.csv as captured by the Internet Archive on September 29, 2026.
- Distances are great-circle distances computed from World Port Index coordinates, not sailing distances.
- Map: Natural Earth 1:110m land, public domain.