Port of Toronto moved approximately 2.2 million metric tonnes of cargo in 2018, and 178 ships visited the port, bringing sugar, road salt, cement, aggregate and steel directly into the heart of the city. Overall the port moved 2,179,795 metric tonnes of cargo in 2018, surpassing the record-breaking year the port experienced in 2017.
In 2018, the port received steel products including rebar, merchant bar, steel plate and coils totalling 69,281 metric tonnes, representing the highest level of steel product moved through the port in 20 years. In addition, the port recorded 14,391 tonnes in warehousing storage, the highest level recorded since 2011. Cement cargo imports remained strong for another year at more than 610,400 tonnes, and stone, aggregate and sand cargo levels continued to increase, ending the year at 189,133 metric tonnes. Salt and sugar imports at 735,948 and 560,625 tonnes respectively remained consistent with 2017 tonnages.
The port also welcomed 17 passenger cruise ships carrying approximately 6,000 passengers in 2018, highlighting the importance of the ever-growing Great Lakes cruise ship business and the role it plays in contributing to Toronto’s booming tourism industry. The port is expecting this number to more than double this year with 35 cruise ships coming to Toronto in the summer and fall of 2019.
During this record-setting year, PortsToronto also hosted Cinespace – the largest private owner, operator and developer of studios for film, television and digital media production in North America – to the Port. Cinespace has leased Marine Terminal 51 and part of the Cruise Ship Terminal on a long-term lease to offer production offices and studio space to content creators. In February 2019, it was announced that Netflix will use this space as part of its Toronto production hub that will bring thousands in jobs and revenue to the city. This complementary use is facilitated in parallel with traditional port operations and has proven to be successful in ensuring the full utilization of PortsToronto property.