HOPA Ports records strong season despite ongoing global supply-chain uncertainty

Agri-food is strongest growth sector, reaching 33 per cent of overall tonnage.

HAMILTON, ON – At the conclusion of the 2022 shipping season, Hamilton-Oshawa Port Authority (HOPA) saw a total of 10,366,810 metric tonnes (MT) of cargo transiting the ports of Hamilton and Oshawa combined. A total of 628 vessels visited its two ports during the 2022 season, 569 in Hamilton and 59 in Oshawa.

Port of Hamilton

In 2022, 9.8 million MT transited the Port of Hamilton. Agri-food commodities continue to be the port’s strongest growth sector, for the first time reaching 33 per cent of overall tonnage. The port handled more than a million MT of soybeans and 1.5 million MT of wheat and corn, in addition to receiving the most raw sugar ever in Hamilton, 85,000 MT, destined for refining and use by food manufacturers in the region.

The conflict in Ukraine had a major impact on the port’s fertilizer trade, since traditionally the majority of urea-based fertilizer used on Ontario farms originates in the Baltic region. As Canadian importers sought out new sources of this commodity, the total amount transiting the Ports of Hamilton and Oshawa combined declined by 25 per cent over 2021.

“We know that food security at home and abroad is a major concern. We’re proud of our port partners who are manufacturing essential products like sugar, flour and cooking oil for use locally, as well as our export terminals who are delivering high-quality Ontario-grown grain around the world,” said Ian Hamilton, President and CEO of HOPA Ports.

Port of Oshawa

In Oshawa, 481,318 MT were recorded in 2022, moderately lower than 2021 totals as a result of lower finished steel and fertilizer totals.

In 2022, HOPA completed major maintenance dredging at the Port of Oshawa, while also kicking off a major capital improvement project, which will see more than $32 million invested in revitalized dock infrastructure, interior roadways, new grain storage capacity and other enhancements to build supply chain capacity and regional economic impact.

Sustainability at HOPA Ports

In 2022, HOPA extended its commitment to sustainability with the introduction of a new Environmental Fund to support port tenants in improving their environmental footprint. The program funds up to 50% of eligible project costs to a maximum of $50,000 per project. 

“Our port partners have done some great thinking to bring forward innovative projects that will help them reduce their environmental impact,” said Sara Yonson, Environmental Manager at HOPA Ports. “A total of $250,000 was allocated in 2022, supporting projects like electric vehicles, energy conservation, air quality improvements and tree planting.”

The Environmental Fund program is fully subscribed for 2023 with projects already in the works.

Looking ahead

Both Hamilton and Oshawa ports are poised for growth. In 2022, HOPA Ports announced major infrastructure projects for Hamilton and Oshawa contributing to the largest capital budget in the port authority’s history, with $45 million planned for development in 2023.

HOPA Ports continues to expand into Niagara Region with support from civic and industry partners. The Thorold Multimodal Hub doubled in size with the addition of a new 170-acre property adding 500,000 sq. ft. of warehouse space, new transportation assets, and development land.

HOPA Ports has an established track record of developing marine-served industrial spaces. It is a segment of the commercial-industrial real estate market where HOPA Ports offers a distinct skill-set. HOPA aims to bring together users who can benefit from the marine, rail and highway connections, in addition to the facility’s proximity to the US border.

“Now more than ever, companies are looking at how they can streamline their supply chains and lower their costs,” said HOPA’s Ian Hamilton. “By nurturing this industrial ecosystem, and making the most of Niagara region’s valuable transportation assets, we’re able to strengthen Canadian supply chains and facilitate Canadian trade and competitiveness.

Commodity2022 Tonnage – Hamilton & Oshawa (metric tonnes)
Steel products854,927
Ore2,914,825
Grain (including soybeans)2,727,051
Fertilizer494,463
Gen Cargo + Containers24,811
Coal1,309,011
Coke378,964
Salt340,257
Stone414,920
Cement141,078
Gypsum244,652
Petroleum products355,062
Liquid products45,407
Other121,384
TOTAL10,366,812

About Hamilton-Oshawa Port Authority

As an integrated port network, the Hamilton Oshawa Port Authority (HOPA) offers port and marine assets in Hamilton, Oshawa and Niagara, to support Ontario industries and facilitate trade. By investing in high-quality infrastructure and prioritizing sustainability, HOPA helps build prosperous working waterfronts in Ontario communities. Overseeing more than 1,000 acres and more than 140 tenant companies, 40,000 Ontario jobs are connected to the cargo that passes through HOPA’s integrated ports.

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For more information, please contact:

Larissa Fenn
Vice President, Corporate Affairs
[email protected]
905-518-7632


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Accounts Payable Analyst

The Hamilton-Oshawa Port Authority (HOPA Ports) is seeking a detail-oriented, organized and proactive individual to join our Finance team. This is an exciting opportunity for

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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

Vice President, Corporate Affairs

Larissa Fenn is Vice President, Corporate Affairs at HOPA Ports, leading a team responsible for communications and government relations, sustainability reporting, corporate governance and corporate culture.

Previous positions included communications and public policy roles at the Canadian Bankers Association, Credit Valley Conservation Authority, and the Regional Municipality of Halton.

Larissa holds a B.A.(Hons) in Political Science from Queen’s University. She holds the APR designation from the Canadian Public Relations Society, and completed the Senior Public Sector Leaders program at the University of Western Ontario, Ivey School of Business. Larissa has served as Vice Chair of the Board of Directors of the Royal Botanical Gardens, and as a member of the Policy Council of the Hamilton Chamber of Commerce.

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.

Janet Knight

Executive Vice President & Chief Financial Officer

Chief Financial Officer for the Hamilton-Oshawa Port Authority since 2008, Janet joined the HPA in 1998 as Accounting Supervisor and subsequently served as Controller.

Prior to joining the HPA, Janet held the position of Financial Analyst with St. Joseph’s Hospital, as well as various positions, including Marketing Communications/Research Lead with Zeneca Agro. Janet graduated from McMaster University in 1986 with a Bachelor of Commerce. She attained the professional designation of Certified Management Accountant in 1992.

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.