The port is located in Prince Rupert Harbour in the North Coast Regional District of British Columbia.

The port was expanded during World War II to support Canadian and United States military action in the Pacific Theatre, notably in the Alaska Territory.

[4][5][6] In April 2005, it was announced that the Fairview Terminal would be converted into an intermodal container shipping terminal, given Prince Rupert's advantages of having a location along the Pacific Great Circle Route between Asia and the west coast of North America; which makes it the first inbound and last outbound port of call, as well as having the deepest natural harbour depths on the continent.

[7][8][9] Because the port at Prince Rupert is closer to Asia on the Pacific Great Circle route, and with the city of Prince Rupert having less municipal congestion than other West Coast ports, additional rail infrastructure investments toward Canada's heartland should cut time from East Asian markets to North American destinations.

[15] On January 23, 2013, federal Environment Minister Peter Kent approved the environmental assessment of the Phase 2 expansion of the terminal.

PRPA reports to the Minister of Transport and has a Board of Directors typically consisting of local business and community figures.

In the past, the appointment process to the boards of Canada's port authorities has been criticized as they have frequently been used for political patronage.