Winnipeg,(MarketsFarm) – The last cargo-vessel of the year departed the Port of Thunder Bay on Jan. 12, bringing total cargo shipments through the facility to their highest level in half-a-decade.
“Strong shipments of Prairie-grown grain and other dry bulk commodities from Western Canada buoyed the port’s cargo tonnage to 9.3 million metric tonnes (MMT), the highest since 2014,” said the port in a news release.
Of that total, grain movement accounted for 7.9 million tonnes, which was up by about 500,000 tonnes from the previous year. Increased movement of canola to Europe and South America was cited as a factor in the solid grain exports.
Coal tonnage was also up on the year, hitting just under 780,000 tonnes. Potash shipments were down slightly on the year, but still remained above the average at nearly 400,000 tonnes.
The Port of Thunder Bay projects another strong season in 2020, according to the report. In addition to grain movement, the facility also expects to see an increase of wind turbine cargoes destined for Western Canadian developments.
