THUNDER BAY — The Port of Thunder Bay saw above-average cargo volumes in the month of July, thanks in large to grain shipments.
“We usually see it taper off during the summer months as the previous year’s harvest has moved its way to market primarily.
"But this year, it was certainly a stronger summer so far on that side,” said Chris Heikkinen, chief executive officer of the Port of Thunder Bay.
Heikkinen believes the increase in grain volumes last month is driven by the market, with farmers having products held over from last year.
“There actually was rather tight carryover from the prior season,” he said.
“The farmers had a certain volume of grain they keep, and they are selling, so that is working out for us now.”
That trend is expected to continue throughout the rest of the shipping year, according to Heikkinen, which will help propel the port to a strong year.
“Looking forward it looks like weather conditions have been mostly favourable on the prairies for the current crop.
"Then we will be off on what we consider our fall grain rush, so we are looking forward to that,” he said.
While it has been relatively quiet at the port in terms of large-scale project shipments, it has seen a strong showing in potash shipments and inbound shipments of phosphate fertilizer.
Heikkinen said the port is working on some infrastructure upgrades to support those shipments.
“We are expecting to see record volumes of that cargo through the end of the year this year,” he said.
