HOPA Ports announces 2021 port activity

Hamilton Port recorded 10.8 million million t this past season; surpassing 2020’s total by almost 1 million t of cargo, and climbing 6% ahead of its five-year average. Hamilton continues to see a steady rise in the growth of agriculture-related commodities, driven by increases in wheat, corn, fertilizer and a 91% increase this year in raw sugar, feeding SucroCan’s Hamilton sugar refinery. Hamilton also saw significant gains in petroleum, sand, quartz, slag and finished steel for the transportation and construction sectors. Overseas cargo tonnages increased 35% and Hamilton’s rail cargo has also doubled over the past five years.

Looking ahead at 2022, Oshawa’s port is poised for growth. Though Oshawa saw a slight decrease from its overall, all-time record total in 2020; the port did see increases in fertilizer and finished steel in 2021, and its total is still 3% above the five-year average. HOPA plans to build on Oshawa’s current cargo levels by upgrading its port facilities and infrastructure in the coming years, namely, increasing capacity for agricultural cargoes and the port’s allowable draft.

Earlier in 2021, HOPA announced its expansion into Niagara Region. In partnership with local municipal leaders, HOPA launched the Niagara Ports plan for a suite of new properties in Thorold and along the Welland Canal. By lending its expertise in developing marine-industrial lands, HOPA has already been able to attract new industrial partners to the Thorold Multimodal Hub, like TORA Inc. and Canadian Maritime Engineering.

In Hamilton, several capital projects reached completion in 2021, including the CAN$36-million Westport Modernization Project across piers 10 – 15. New storage facilities at Pier 14 and food-grade warehousing at Pier 15 will also allow for more efficient storage and handling of bulk cargo and food products. Next year, HOPA’s engineering and design team will focus on a dedicated agri-food cluster at Pier 10 in Hamilton. This new storage space for sugar and grain and marine infrastructure will provide 225 000 million t of additional capacity per year, while also taking thousands of trucks off the road.

“Despite supply chain disruptions and volatility, HOPA Ports remains a reliable, resilient and ambitious partner,” said Ian Hamilton, President and CEO of HOPA Ports. “By raising the bar and continuing to invest in critical infrastructure, we can support Canada’s domestic capacity and trade potential, and push for better outcomes in 2022.”

Read the article online at: https://www.drybulkmagazine.com/ports-terminals/04022022/hopa-ports-announces-2021-port-activity/