Increased demand for Canadian grain has meant a 20-year high for cargo tonnage through the Port of Thunder Bay.
Port CEO Tim Heney says a steady demand for Canadian grain in Europe, the Middle East, and Africa accounts for the strong showing this year and he predicts this shipping season will be one of the best in decades.
“It’s very encouraging, we see this continuing and I think next year will be strong as well,” explains Heney ” We may not see the records in grain but we may see a comeback in coal and potash.”
Heney believes final overall cargo volumes could hit 10 million metric tonnes for the first time since 1997.
The 10 million-tonne tally represents a 14 percent increase over the port’s 5-year average.
Meantime, the Port CEO tells us the last ocean-going ship will leave well before Christmas and the port itself will shut down January 15th.
