As the 2025 marine shipping season has progressed, grain traffic has remained the dominant story of the year per statistics reported by the St. Lawrence Seaway Management Corporation. As of the end of June, total traffic had reached approximately 12.7 million tonnes, representing an increase of approximately 4% year over year when compared to the same period last year. Most notably, the movement of North American grain was up almost 28% year over year, due in part to increased global demand resulting from lost production caused by the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.
A multitude of CMC members have had a hand in bringing this foundational food commodity to world markets, ranging from producers, to ship operators, to ports and terminals. One key player in this vital supply chain is HOPA Ports, which is a central conduit for the activity – so much so that it recently completed a $35 million grain terminal expansion. This expansion offers a total of 20,000 metric tonnes of storage capacity and features a vessel loading rate of up to 12,000 MT per day, ensuring fast and efficient grain movement. Additionally, a new dual truck unloading structure is capable of receiving 700 MT per hour, which has streamlined deliveries and minimized any potential for delays.
