Port of Oshawa Grain Export Terminal welcomes first test shipments amid major expansion

CANADA – The Port of Oshawa Grain Export Terminal, currently undergoing an ambitious expansion and modernization project, recently marked a milestone by welcoming its first test shipments.

The C$35 million (US$25.4 million) project, spearheaded by Hamilton-Oshawa Port Authority (HOPA Ports), is partially funded by a C$14 million investment from Canada’s National Trade Corridors Fund.

This expansion seeks to enhance the port’s role in boosting grain exports, with a particular focus on soybeans.

One of the key developments in the expansion is the significant increase in storage capacity to 20,000 tonnes, a critical step toward meeting growing demand for grain exports.

Alongside this, the terminal’s loading capabilities have been optimized, with a vessel loading rate now reaching up to 12,000 tonnes per day.

Another essential feature of the upgrade is the installation of a dual truck unloading structure, capable of processing 700 tonnes per hour, which will streamline operations by reducing delivery bottlenecks and minimizing delays.

To meet stringent environmental standards, HOPA Ports has integrated advanced weather protection and a dust control system into the upgraded terminal.

These updates are expected to significantly enhance the facility’s operational efficiency and support the broader agricultural supply chain in Canada.

“Making this facility work for regional farmers is our priority,” said Ian Hamilton, president and CEO of HOPA Ports.

“We’ve invested in quality infrastructure, improving the terminal’s efficiency from the front gate right onto the vessel. We’re thrilled that the Port of Oshawa is contributing to the resiliency and reliability of Canadian agricultural supply chains,” he added.

QSL, a key partner in the joint venture with HOPA Ports, has also expressed its enthusiasm for the project.

 “QSL is proud to be part of this effort to enhance the potential of the Port of Oshawa. We are looking forward to seeing more grain exported through this facility every year,” said Gino Becerra, vice president for Ontario at QSL.

One of the port’s first test shipments, managed by Parrish & Heimbecker, began in September and focuses on exporting soybeans.

The soybeans are being used to settle the new bin and fill the existing silo, with plans to load an ocean-going vessel later this fall, underscoring the port’s readiness for full operational capacity by the end of October.

The Port of Oshawa is strategically positioned to become a critical hub in Canada’s grain export infrastructure, improving the connectivity between Ontario’s farmers and international markets.

The expansion is expected to create jobs, reduce transportation costs for farmers, and help Canada compete more effectively in the global grain market, particularly in the face of growing competition from U.S. and South American grain exporters.

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