Hamilton Port forecasts more grain movement in 2011

Hamilton: The Hamilton Port Authority is predicting higher-than-average grain movements for the 2011 navigation season due to carryover from the 2010 crop.

As well, the Canfornav vessel MV Brant will be officially welcomed into the Port of Hamilton March 31 as the first overseas vessel arrival for the 2011 shipping and navigation season. The Hamilton Port Authority will greet Captain Mykhaylo Palchyk aboard the ship, which will load grain for export to Europe. Canfornav is a frequent caller in Hamilton.

Hamilton has grown its terminal capacity dramatically in recent years, the port said. According to the port, Hamilton’s strategic location and ability to connect marine, truck and rail is helping drive cost out of supply chains, making Ontario products more competitive in international markets. Hamilton is also growing as a centre for food processing with a number of major companies including Canada Bread and Tim Hortons building plants in the city.

The MV Brant will dock at Richardson International Limited at Pier 25. Last year, Richardson had a 38-percent spike in tonnage over the Hamilton terminal’s previous high in 2006, the port said. The exceptional Ontario yield and crop quality last year, combined with drought and flooding conditions in several global regions, created opportunities for Eastern Canada to serve additional export markets not normally open to Ontario commodities.

“We are proud to have grown our business in Eastern Canada in partnership with the Port of Hamilton,” said Richardson International president Curt Vossen. “We have developed a strong export business that is benefiting the port and producers in Southern Ontario, giving them improved access to world markets.”