Port of Thunder Bay boosts grain exports in 2015

Ocean vessels alone directly exported over 2.1 million metric tons of grain to international ports during the year, 80 percent more than the five-year average for the Lake Superior port.    The Port of Thunder Bay, located along Lake Superior, posted an overall cargo throughput of just over 8.9 million metric tons in 2015, up 17 percent from its five-year average, the port said.
   The port had 413 vessel calls throughout the year, compared to its five-year average of 387 vessel calls.
   A total of 125 ocean vessel (salty) calls were recorded at the Port of Thunder Bay in 2015. Saltys directly exported over 2.1 million metric tons of grain to international ports during the year, 80 percent more than the five-year average. In addition, Canadian freighters carried over 5.9 million metric tons of grain from the port during the season, 15 percent higher than the five-year average.
   The Port of Thunder Bay features the largest grain storage capacity in North America and is equipped with eight grain elevators, according to its website. The port also has four dry bulk facilities; two liquid bulk facilities; and one general cargo terminal, which is designed for project cargo, breakbulk and forest products.