Port of Thunder Bay reports strong grain, general cargo volumes

A total of 15 foreign vessels called the Great Lakes port in October, which loaded a combined 260,000 metric tons of grain for direct shipment overseas.    The Port of Thunder Bay, situated along Lake Superior in Ontario, Canada, reported strong grain and general cargo volumes through October.
   For the first 10 months of the year, general cargo shipments were up three-fold compared to the five-year average, which the port attributed to a variety of diverse shipments including wind turbines, mining equipment, wood pellets and project cargo for the oilsands.
   The Port of Thunder Bay handled 5.7 million metric tons of grain throughout the first 10 months of the year, an increase of 24 percent compared to the port’s five-year average. Wheat and canola accounted for 94 percent of the grain shipped through the port.
   Foreign vessels have had a strong influence on the Port of Thunder Bay this fall, the port said. In October, 15 foreign vessels called the port, which combined, loaded 260,000 metric tons of grain for direct shipment overseas.
   The Port of Thunder Bay is equipped with eight grain elevators, four dry bulk facilities, two liquid bulk facilities and one general cargo terminal. Canadian National and Canadian Pacific Railways serve the port, as well as major Canadian trucking companies.