Harnois Énergies opens rail spur at Quebec DC

On May 15, Harnois Énergies (HÉ) inaugurated the rail spur at its Saint-Thomas, Quebec, distribution centre.

The rail spur’s two new access tracks now make it possible for HÉ to load propane gas into a specialized tank at its Saint-Thomas facilities. Thanks to these two new access tracks, other products such as aviation fuel and urea can be received directly at this location.

Christian Fortin – Harnois Énergies, François St-Louis – Member of Joliette, Nicolas Gamelin – Bruneau Électrique, Serge Harnois – Harnois Énergies, Thierry Lysiak – Genesee & Wyoming Canada Inc., Claude Harnois – Founder, Richard Otis – PNR RailWorks Quebec Inc, Yves Vallières – Ingénierie RIVVAL Inc., Nicolas Framery – CDÉJ, Nicolas Préville-Ratelle – CDÉJ, Pierre-Luc Bellerose – Mayor of Joliette, André Champagne – Mayor of Saint-Thomas, Pascal Rodrigue – Harnois Énergies (CNW Group/Harnois Énergies)

This project received financial support from the Government of Québec as part of its Rail Transport Infrastructure and Modal Integration Support Program. The ministry of Transport and Sustainable Mobility, provided $1,888,936 to HÉ for the project. HÉ invested $2 million in this $3.9 million project.

In the past, HÉ had no other option but to ship propane by truck from a supply site to its tank in Saint-Thomas. Thanks to this direct access and the ability to transfer product in the head office’s rear yard, the equivalent of 240 trucks (i.e., 257 tons CO₂) will be removed from the road each year.

In addition to the project’s environmental benefits, the logistical and efficiency aspects are also central to the added value of this investment. In the long term, this project will eliminate several steps, which will result in increased volume and better efficiency for HÉ.

“The realization of this project is the result of excellent teamwork between our teams and external partners. HÉ is looking toward the future and is taking action to reduce its environmental footprint and, therefore, ensure the company’s sustainability,” said Serge Harnois, President and CEO of Harnois Énergies.

Harnois Énergies distributes petroleum products, propane, lubricants and specialty products across Canada.