Imagine moving a piece of cargo that weighs almost as much as a blue whale. No problem for Port of Oshawa’s rail spur, which will allow the port to break into niche project cargo markets by handling cargo of all shapes and sizes, including a mammoth motor compressor that arrived recently from a company in the Kawartha Lakes. Too big to move by road, the 100 metric tonne compressor was easily accommodated by the rail spur’s oversized dimensional move section.
The compressor, headed for South Africa was loaded aboard MV Marsgracht, a heavy lift vessel that’s specially designed for cargo of all weights and dimensions. “It’s great to see that industry recognizes the distinct advantages of Oshawa’s intermodal port,” said Donna Taylor, President and CEO of Oshawa Port Authority. “This is the first project cargo to be exported using the rail spur, and we’re confident that it’s just the start.”
The rail spur, which opened in May of 2015, has helped the Port play a greater role in supporting Canada’s steel industry. So far this year, 87 rail cars of steel have made their way from the port to western Canada. The rail spur not only makes it possible to move more steel through the port, but various additional cargoes including asphalt and special projects. “The rail spur is the crucial link that allows us to meet the growing demands of local and regional businesses,” said Gary Valcour, Chair of Oshawa Port Authority. “It’s the kind of investment that helps the port deliver significant economic benefits for Oshawa, Durham Region and all of Canada.” The $4.1 million rail spur was funded by Oshawa Port Authority, with no funding from government.