CN sets grain record in past year

MONTREAL – CN set a new record by moving over 30 million metric tonnes (MMT) of grain from across Canada during the 2019-2020 crop year. During the 2019-2020 crop year, over 28.2 MMT of grain moved from Western Canada as well as over 1.1 MMT moved through intermodal containers.

The railway also published its 2020-2021 Grain Plan, announcing that it is prepared to move up to 7,600 bulk and processed hopper cars per week outside of winter, and up to 6,100 per week during winter in the upcoming crop year.

The annual Grain Plan is prepared through a consultation process and with the input of key stakeholders through an open invitation on the company’s website. The plan reviews the railway’s performance during the last crop year, assesses its ability to move anticipated levels of grain during the upcoming crop year, and it explains specific steps that it is taking to ensure it can move grain safely and efficiently.

“Although we achieved our best grain movement volumes in 2019–2020, we are far from complacent…We remain committed to continue making capacity-enhancing investments to our network and to upgrade our rolling stock, including the purchase of 1,500 additional railcars manufactured in North America in 2020-2021,” said JJ Ruest, CN’s president and CEO.

“CN recognizes that the Grain Plan has been a helpful initiative to increase supply chain performance and keep everyone focused on moving annual crops.”