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Category: News

HOPA Ports Achieves Top-Level Environmental Recognition through Green Marine

HOPA Ports has earned the highest possible rating, Level 5, in the Aquatic Ecosystems indicator through the Green Marine environmental certification program, reinforcing its leadership in sustainable port operations. Green Marine is the maritime industry’s leading voluntary environmental certification program, designed to help ports and terminal operators go beyond regulatory requirements. Participants are evaluated annually […]

CHCH Morning Live returns to HOPA Ports, taking viewers behind the scenes of Hamilton’s working waterfront

https://www.hopaports.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/CA42408694_MorningLive_HOPA-Promo-June-18th-6-to-10am_15_AirsAsScheduled_2026_Cochrane.mp4 Join us June 18 from 6:00 a.m.–10:00 a.m. as CHCH Morning Live returns to HOPA Ports! Hosts Annette Hamm and Rick Zamperin, alongside Adventure Reporter Emily Vukovic, will explore the people, operations and partnerships powering one of Canada’s most important transportation hubs. From marine shipping to manufacturing and agri-food, the broadcast showcases the scale […]

Port of Hamilton Welcomes New Sucro Can Sugar Refinery

Sucro Can Canada and HOPA Ports celebrate the opening of a next‑generation sugar refinery, strengthening Canada’s agri‑food supply chain A $135-million sugar refinery has opened at the Port of Hamilton, adding new domestic food-processing capacity to Canada’s agrifood sector. The facility is designed to receive raw sugar by vessel and distribute refined products to customers […]

CBSA Approval In Principle Unlocks New Inland Rail Capacity at the Port of Hamilton

CBSA grants rail terminal approval in principle:allowing containers to move by rail directly into the Port of Hamilton, enabling the Hamilton Container Terminal (HCT) to receive shipments from first ports of arrival including Montreal, Halifax, Saint John, Vancouver and Prince Rupert. New inland capacity unlocked:strengthening southern Ontario’s supply chain by reducing highway congestion, cutting trucking […]

HOPA Ports partners with Crime Stoppers of Hamilton and Hamilton Police Service to strengthen crime prevention through new awareness campaign

Hamilton, ON – Today, HOPA Ports, through its Harbour Master’s Office/Port Patrol, joined Crime Stoppers of Hamilton and Hamilton Police Service to launch the “Crime Doesn’t Anchor Here” campaign, an initiative designed to enhance crime prevention efforts across port lands in Hamilton. The campaign is part of a broader, city‑wide effort led by Crime Stoppers […]

HOPA Ports welcomes Mark John Stewart to its Board of Directors

HOPA Ports is pleased to welcome Mark John Stewart, ICD.D, Managing Director of Wentworth Strategy Group and Industry Professor at McMaster University, to its Board of Directors. Board Chair Anne Waldes, on behalf of the Board of Directors and HOPA staff, welcomed Mark to the organization. Mark brings extensive experience in strategy, governance, and stakeholder […]

HOPA Ports Powers Growth with Expanded Trade Network

HOPA Ports delivered a strong 2025 navigation season, moving 10.8 million MT of cargo across its expanding port network. Agri‑food, construction materials, and general cargo surged, including a 33% jump in gypsum, a key construction commodity. HOPA is accelerating the building of a Great Lakes Port Network in 2026, with new partnerships, including Sault Ste. […]

Renee Bulger, CPA, CGA

Vice President, Finance

Renee assumed the role of Vice President, Finance after having served as Director of Finance since 2023.

Renee joined the Hamilton Port Authority in 2006 as a General Accountant and was promoted to Controller in 2018. She was previously a member of the Board of Directors for the Hamilton Conservation Foundation from 2017 to 2020.

Renee received her Honours Bachelor of Commerce from Laurentian University and is a Chartered Professional Accountant.

Larissa Fenn

Larissa Fenn

Vice President, Corporate Affairs

Larissa Fenn is Vice President, Corporate Affairs at HOPA Ports, leading a team responsible for strategic initiatives, public affairs, sustainability reporting, corporate governance and culture.

In progressive roles over 14 years, Larissa has helped to define and execute the strategy that has grown HOPA Ports into Ontario’s largest and most dynamic port authority. Her previous experience includes policy and communications management roles in financial services and municipal government.

Larissa holds a B.A. in Political Science from Queen’s University, and an MBA from the DeGroote School of Business at McMaster University. A champion for the Great Lakes and vibrant waterfront cities, Larissa serves as a Board Member of the Ontario Marine Council and is former Vice Chair of the Royal Botanical Gardens in Hamilton/Burlington, Ontario.

Bill Fitzgerald

Vice President, Strategic Development

Bill assumed the role of Vice President, Strategic Development in 2024, after having served as HOPA’s Vice President, Operations since 2008.

Bill joined the Hamilton-Oshawa Port Authority in July 1995 as Project Engineer. He previously worked with the Regional Municipality of Ottawa’s Transportation Department, as well as for the Toronto Transit Commission and the City of Waterloo.

Bill received a Bachelor of Applied Science, civil engineering / water resources, in 1995 from the University of Waterloo and registered with the Professional Engineers of Ontario in 1997.

Jeremy Dunn

Vice President, Operations

Jeremy assumed the role of Vice President, Operations in 2024 after having served as HOPA’s Commercial Vice President since 2019. Prior to joining HOPA, Jeremy served in successive leadership roles at The Miller Group, one of Canada’s leading transportation construction and infrastructure maintenance companies. Jeremy has managed multiple business groups in the heavy construction, asphalt paving and aggregates sectors driving results through business restructuring, service improvement and strategic growth. In his most recent role, Jeremy served as General Manager of Miller Maintenance, responsible for managing and growing Miller’s highway maintenance business in Ontario.

Previous to The Miller Group, Jeremy held the position of Director of Operations for the Dunn Group of Companies.

Jeremy earned his Bachelor of Commerce (Honours) through Queen’s University. He also holds a Master’s Certificate in Project Management.

Ian Hamilton

President & CEO

Ian Hamilton is President & CEO of HOPA Ports (Hamilton-Oshawa Port Authority). He assumed this role in 2017, after serving as the Port Authority’s Vice President of Business Development and Real Estate since 2008. Ian has been instrumental in developing working waterfronts in Hamilton, Oshawa, and Niagara by attracting new business and private investment, and creating an integrated marine network across Southern Ontario.

Ian possesses more than 25 years of experience in international transportation and logistics in Europe and North America, and has held progressively senior positions in the liner shipping industry, including Transatlantic Trade Director (Europe) for CP Ships and Business Development Manager for Hapag-Lloyd. Ian is Chairperson of the Association of Canadian Port Authorities, and holds positions on various other boards, including: the Chamber of Marine Commerce, the Hamilton Club, and Brigs Youth Sail Training.

Ian holds an MBA from Aston University (UK) and a BSc in business administration and economics from the College of Charleston, South Carolina.