Fall brings increased marine freight movement in Thunder Bay

Shipping and freight passing through the Port of Thunder Bay increased slightly in September over the monthly totals recorded last year.

Cargo statistics recorded by the Thunder Bay Port Authority show 541,297 tonnes came over the docks last month. It's an improvement over the 525,694 records posted in September 2009. Grain cargoes moved in September alone are down with 371,812 tonnes compared to 375,978 tonnes posted during the same month last year. But coal cargoes for September edged up to 130,812 tonnes, compared to 101,336 tonnes last year.

Overall, cargo statistics for 2010 through to the end of September are down from last year's cumulative totals.

This year's numbers show 4,428,415 tonnes through the port since January, down from 4,783,329 tonnes during the first nine months of last year.

Grain and coal are the primary products that move through the Lake Superior port followed by potash, dry bulk, liquid bulk and various general cargoes that move through Keefer Terminal.

Western Canada potash cargoes have more than doubled this year with 210,160 tonnes moved up to Sept. 30 compared to 103,580 tonnes during the first nine months of 2009.

Overall vessel numbers in the port have also dipped from 250 recorded through through September of 2009, to 239 ships so far this year.