August grain shipments through the Port of Thunder Bay are up by one million tonnes from the same period last year.
A news release from the port authority said on the year to date, as of Aug. 31, the port has moved 3.7 million tonnes of grain, compared to 2.6 million in August 2022.
The port handled more than 250,000 tonnes of potash from the Canadian Prairies, surpassing a monthly record set lin 2022. These cargoes are destined for Europe, North Africa and South America.
In the release, the authority said potash volumes moving through the port are on track last year's 30-year high.
On the general cargo front, the authority said there were steady inbound cargoes during August and the first week of September of bulk fertilizer, steel pipe, steel rails and machinery. The port authority said its Keefer Terminal “is experiencing its best year to date for steel, with regular shipments continuing through the fall.”
Ship traffic is up as well with 149 visits to the port on the year to date, compared to 114 last year.
Foreign-flagged vessels numbered 89 as of Aug. 31, compared to 74 during the time frame in 2022.
