2021 – HOPA Ports saw a total of 11.2 million metric tonnes of cargo through Hamilton and Oshawa’s ports during the 2021 shipping season, up 9 per cent from the same time period the previous year.
Hamilton Port recorded 10.8 million MT this past season; surpassing 2020’s total by almost one million tonnes of cargo, and climbing six per cent ahead of its 5-year average. Hamilton continues to see a steady rise in the growth of agriculture-related commodities, driven by increases in wheat, corn, fertilizer and a whopping 91 per cent increase this year in raw sugar, feeding SucroCan’s Hamilton sugar refinery. Hamilton also saw significant gains in petroleum, sand, quartz, slag and finished steel for the transportation and construction sectors. Overseas cargo tonnages increased 35 per cent and Hamilton’s rail cargo has also doubled over the past five years.
Several capital projects in Hamilton also reached completion in 2021, including the $36-million Westport Modernization Project across piers 10-15. New storage facilities at pier 14 and food-grade warehousing at Pier 15 will also allow for more efficient storage and handling of bulk cargo and food products.
Though Oshawa saw a slight decrease from its overall, all-time record total in 2020; the port did see increases in fertilizer and finished steel in 2021, and its total was still 3 per cent above the 5-year average.
“Despite supply chain disruptions and volatility, HOPA Ports remained a reliable, resilient and ambitious partner,” said Ian Hamilton, President & CEO of HOPA Ports. “By raising the bar and continuing to invest in critical infrastructure, we can support Canada’s domestic capacity and trade potential, and push for better outcomes in 2022.”
2022 – McKeil Marine’s MV Evans Spirit arrived at the Port of Hamilton on March 24, 2022, officially kicking off the 2022 marine shipping season. Coming all the way from Garrucha, Spain, with 15,905 MT of natural gypsum, the Canadian bulk carrier and its crew docked at pier 12 where stevedore Federal Marine Terminals (FMT) unloaded the cargo from its shallow draft. Captain Josh Penney was presented with the ceremonial top hat for being the first vessel into port by HOPA Ports Director, Safety & Security and Harbour Master, Vicki Gruber; alongside HOPA’s President & CEO, Ian Hamilton, and McKeil Marine CEO, Scott Bravener.
Come what may in the year ahead, HOPA’s Harbour Master, Vicki Gruber, is ready for another busy season. “Recent events truly highlight the importance of our supply chain network, and the dedication of the crews, longshoremen, and transportation workers across the country that keep these goods moving.”
BBC Alberta arrived in Oshawa on April 3, 2022, coming all the way from Charleston, SC., with a load of general cargo, and officially kicking off shipping season at the port. Captain Roman Gerashchenko was thrilled to receive the Top Hat from HOPA’s Harbour Master Vicki Gruber; after narrowly beating out NACC Quebec, which usually takes the top spot.
Looking ahead at 2022, Oshawa’s port is poised for growth. HOPA plans to build on Oshawa’s current cargo levels by upgrading its port facilities and infrastructure in the coming years, namely, increasing capacity for agricultural cargoes and the port’s allowable draft.
In 2022, HOPA Ports is planning for $30 million in construction projects across its network in Oshawa, Hamilton, and Niagara. “By making the right infrastructure investments, we’re able to improve the fluidity of the supply chains we support, and expand Canada’s trade capacity,” said HOPA President & CEO, Ian Hamilton.
A trio of tunnel boring machines (TBMs) recently arrived in the Greater Golden Horseshoe, destined for Metrolinx’s Eglinton Crosstown West Extension and Scarborough Subway Extension projects. Following a two- week journey across the Atlantic, the boring machines, one 12 metres in diameter and the other two both 6.5 metres in diameter, arrived at Hamilton-Oshawa Port Authority’s (HOPA Ports) Ontario ports. All manufactured by Herrenknecht in Germany, the larger Scarborough Subway Extension TBM was delivered to the port of Oshawa, and the other two for the Eglinton Crosstown West Extension project were delivered to the port of Hamilton.
Scarborough’s TBM, weighing in at 2,000 tonnes, will help build the largest subway tunnel in Toronto’s transit history. The TBMs are so large, they have to be loaded into vessels in pieces for assembly at their final destinations.
As bookends to the Greater Golden Horseshoe, Oshawa and Hamilton’s ports are key gateways to the most densely populated area of Southern Ontario and the country’s busiest construction zone. “As an integrated port network, we look to create better connections for businesses and industrial users moving cargo throughout the Greater Golden Horseshoe, just like Metrolinx does for rail passengers,” said Ian Hamilton, President & CEO of HOPA Ports. “We’re thrilled to see goods move through our ports which will in turn help people move more efficiently.”
The Scarborough TBM arrived at the port of Oshawa aboard the heavy load carrier Jumbo Vision, where over the course of an entire week longshoremen discharged the vessel and the TBM piece by piece. That is where the port’s stevedore, QSL, and its expertise comes in. “QSL is a provider of tailor-made solutions for all cargo types,” said QSL Senior Sales Representative, Kevin Paradis-Rioux. “This particular job has taken over a year to coordinate from start to finish. The discharge of the TBM is an example of the customized solutions we can provide for heavy equipment manufacturers.”
This spring, the Scarborough TBM will begin burrowing a single 7.8km-long tunnel – from Sheppard and McCowan to Kennedy Station – clearing an underground pathway for the three-stop Scarborough Subway Extension. Due for completion in 2030, the project will make it even more convenient and comfortable for Scarborough residents to travel back and forth to the downtown core.
The twin TBM cutter heads bound for the Eglinton Crosstown West project came through the port of Hamilton aboard Federal Delta, handled by stevedore Federal Marine Terminals. “FMT is pleased to be a part of this exciting project for the region. We value our long-term partnership with HOPA by playing an essential role in the economic success of the Port and region. Handling the TBMs from a Fednav vessel illustrates our complete, integrated service offering, providing reliability and value to our customers.” said Matthew McPhail, Vice President, Sales and Marketing, FMT.
The Eglinton Crosstown West Extension, expected to be complete in 2030-2031, will extend the Eglinton Crosstown LRT another 9.2 kilometres farther west through Etobicoke and into Mississauga. The TBMs which arrived through the port of Hamilton will tunnel the section between Renforth Drive and Scarlett Road.
“Projects like the Eglinton Crosstown West Extension and the Scarborough Subway Extension will not only benefit the communities where they are being built, but the region as a whole,” said Phil Verster, Metrolinx President and CEO. “We’re happy to see these incredible machines arrive through local ports in Hamilton and Oshawa as part of their journeys to their respective launch sites.”
In January, Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) announced the transfer of ownership of the historic Beach Canal Lighthouse and the nearby keeper’s cottage to HOPA Ports which will protect and keep them as part of Canada’s cultural heritage.
“Partnering with communities to transfer ownership of heritage lighthouses like this to local organizations preserves these important pieces of Canada’s heritage. This transfer will not only enable the local communities to continue to visit the landmark, but will ensure they benefit from local investments in greenspace and improvements to safety and recreation for generations to come,” said The Honourable Joyce Murray, Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard.
HOPA Ports, working closely with local community partners Beach Canal Lighthouse Group, intends to reposition the lighthouse onto HOPA Ports property in order to complete a restoration of both structures and facilitate public access. The repositioning of the lighthouse structure is critical to allow for public access, and will serve as a focal point for the redeveloped Fisherman’s Pier zone.
“This is a major step forward to realizing our goal to make Fisherman’s Pier a welcoming people place on Hamilton Harbour,” said Ian Hamilton, President & CEO, HOPA Ports. “Hamilton and Burlington share a proud maritime heritage. Fisherman’s Pier is one of the best places anywhere to get an up-close look at the big ships and to understand the continuing role of industry and maritime trade in our community’s economy and identity.”
Learn more about the Fisherman’s Pier Redevelopment Plan at www. hopaports.ca.
A group of industrial and environmental partners have banded together to collect, analyze and divert waste captured in Seabins stationed around Harbour West Marina along Hamilton’s waterfront. The end of the 2021 boating season officially marked the second year of waste capture at Harbour West, and this effort is part of a larger initiative called the Great Lakes Plastic Cleanup (GLPC): the single largest initiative of its kind in the world, using waste capture technology to remove plastics found in and around marinas in the Great Lakes region.
“To really address plastic pollution, we need to focus on two things at once: getting plastic that’s already in the water out, and putting systems in place to stop plastic from continuing to flow in every year,” says Christopher Hilkene, CEO of Pollution Probe, the environmental not-for-profit that, along with the Council of the Great Lakes Region (CGLR), is spearheading the GLPC. “The data we collect from the plastic capture devices helps us get a better picture of the problem, which is necessary to come up with effective solutions.”
Ultimately, through the data collected and research generated, the team hopes to encourage residents and businesses to rethink their habits on land, and keep plastic out of the lake. “We always get questions from boaters about what we’re finding in the bins,” said Emily Paivalainen, Communications & Community Relations Coordinator at HOPA Ports. “In addition to small plastic pieces and food wrappers, cigarette butts are one of the most consistent finds.” Seabins at Harbour West collect about 2 or 3kg in a 24 or 48 hour period, a fraction of which is trash or microplastics.
Prashaani David Harris receives inaugural HOPA Ports Sustainability Scholarship at Ontario Tech University
HOPA Ports is pleased to congratulate Prashaani David Harris, the first ever recipient of the HOPA Ports Sustainability Scholarship at Ontario Tech University. Now in her fourth year, Prashaani is finishing her bachelor degree in Human Health Sciences, with a minor in Sustainability Studies.
“As we build our relationship with Ontario Tech University, as well as community organizations and post- secondary partners in Oshawa, we want to foster connections in a way that aligns with HOPA’s mission,” said Public Affairs Director Larissa Fenn. “We look forward to supporting the future sustainability leaders of Oshawa and Durham Region.”