HOPA Update – Port Infrastructure Investments Drive Cargo Trends in Hamilton and Oshawa

Dayna, North End Resident and Reader

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Kristina Santone

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I’ll be joining Welcome Inn as the Executive Director and look forward to taking on a new role in the North End Community while staying connected to The Breezes. “

The Hamilton-Oshawa Port Authority (HOPA Ports) reported a significant uptick in cargo volumes for 2023, with 11,293,179 metric tonnes (MT) passing through the ports of Hamilton and Oshawa, marking a 9% increase from the previous year. This surge, attributed to strategic investments in trade-enabling infrastructure, reflects the region’s economic vitality.

As goods flow through the Ports of Hamilton and Oshawa, they account for approximately 30% of all cargo travelling through the Canada-US Great Lakes Seaway system. In 2023, HOPA’s cargo volumes surged by 9%, outpacing the system’s overall increase of 3.38%.

“Commodities fluctuate every year due to market and external forces beyond our control,” said Ian Hamilton, President & CEO of HOPA Ports. “We prioritize future trends, investing in trade infrastructure to drive long-term performance.”

The agri-food sector saw a 5% increase with a combined total of 3.5 million MT through the Ports of Hamilton and Oshawa combined, while steel and construction materials surged by 13%, bolstering regional growth. Over the past 15 years, the port has attracted $500 million in new investments by agri-food companies, including grain handling terminals, fertilizer terminals, and Ontario’s leading mid-size brewery.

Additionally, HOPA’s sustained investments in capacity for the value-added steel-related manufacturing supply chain have contributed to this growth trajectory.

In recognition of its outstanding contributions to the industry, HOPA Ports was honored as the Bulk Port of the Year by the International Bulk Journal in 2023. “Our ports are essential trade gateways to Canada’s largest and most dynamic economic region,” continued Hamilton. “Through expanded industrial lands and a comprehensive range of multimodal services, we contribute to economic prosperity and a resilient, future-ready supply chain.”

Learn more: www.hopaports.ca