The deepsea ports on the West Coast play a vital role in the region's economy generating employment and economic benefits through trade. Vancouver is the largest port in the region, the busiest port in Canada, and the number two port in North America based on foreign tonnage handled. Other major port communities on the West Coast are Prince Rupert, Fraser River, North Fraser, Nanaimo and Port Alberni. The cruise industry is also an important part of West Coast shipping. As for coastal shipping, the domestic towing industry first appeared on the West Coast over 100 years ago and today is a key component of the region's marine transportation system.
Towboats are also important in assisting ship dockings.
Collectively, these companies directly employ some 2,400 seagoing personnel. Coastal shipping also creates extensive spin-offs in related supporting services. The Great Lakes - St. Lawrence Waterway has unique geographical features. It is a marine highway as long as the Atlantic Ocean is wide, extending from the Atlantic Ocean to the western shore of Lake Superior, and serving the industrial and trading heartland of Canada and the American Midwest. The Waterway is a deepwater highway for North American trade.