OTTAWA, ONTARIO, CANADA — The government of Canada is spending up to C$6.7 million for two projects to redevelop infrastructure and expand cargo handling capacity at the Port of Thunder Bay, Ontario, a major shipping point for the country, including grain exports.
The recently announced investment will be made by Transport Canada through the National Trade Corridors Fund, a competitive, merit-based program designed to help infrastructure owners and users invest in the critical transportation assets that support economic activity in Canada.
The government will contribute up to C$3 million to redevelop the existing marshalling yard at the port’s Keefer Terminal. Adding new heavyweight rail track and switches will increase the port’s cargo handling capabilities and will provide opportunities to attract new markets and improve supply chain fluidity.
Up to C$3.7 million will be used to enhance the port’s capacity by upgrading the wharf at Keefer Terminal, expanding the terminal’s cargo laydown area, developing the electrical infrastructure for the new laydown area and improving the rail crossing infrastructure between Keefer Terminal and the marshalling yard.
These improvement projects are expected to grow the Northern Ontario economy by supporting industries such as grain, potash, steel, wind turbine components, transformers and phosphate fertilizers.
The Port of Thunder Bay is the Western Canadian terminus of the St. Lawrence Seaway System, the largest inland waterway in the world. The port was built to provide access to European markets for Western Canadian grain producers.
Ownership of Thunder Bay’s eight elevators includes some of the world’s largest agribusinesses, including Viterra and G3. Wheat, durum, canola, coarse grains, oilseeds, feed grains, peas and other pulse crops, as well as various grain byproducts, are handled by terminal operators. In 2023, the port handled 7.26 million tonnes of grain.
