The Port of Vancouver offers 17 bulk terminals to handle a diversity of cargoes including coal, grain, sulphur, potash, liquid and dry chemicals, and fuel oil.

Bulk cargoes account for three-quarters of the Port of Vancouver's annual throughput, the largest port in North America in terms of foreign export tonnage. Bulk carriers regularly call on the Port of Vancouver because of the availability of Western Canadian resource commodities available for export. As a result, shippers have an extensive choice of sailing schedules to suit a diverse selection of cargo.

Bulk terminal operators offer extensive terminal management experience, safe and environmentally sound handling of cargoes, and excellent turnaround times for fleet management. Bulk terminals at the Port of Vancouver have made significant investments in expanding capacity and upgrading service capabilities. Grain and bulk commodity terminals have developed enhanced direct-hit capabilities. Terminals offer computerized process control systems, railcar unloading facilities, stacker-reclaimers, storage sheds, automated rotary dumpers, dust control systems, and grain cleaning systems that increase productivity and the level of product care, as well as improve environmental protection.

Canadian National (CN) and Canadian Pacific Railway (CPR) feed the Port of Vancouver with bulk cargo from their extensive Canadian and U.S. networks. These transcontinental networks are enhanced by Burlington Northern Santa Fe (BNSF). The Port of Vancouver's bulk terminals offer automated car dumpers for unloading bulk cargoes.