Cargo Statistics: Hamilton, Portland (OR)

Grain and fertilizers are contributing to an increasingly diversified cargo base at the Port of Hamilton. Increased export activity and facility investment emerged as dominant trends in the Port of Portland’s maritime business in 2013.

Approximately 10 million metric tons of cargo moved through the Port of Hamilton in 2013, a tad less than 2012 and about the same as in 2011.

On the upswing since 2009, the port’s agribusiness continued to grow in 2013, with increases in grain and fertilizer tonnage of 13 percent and 2 percent, respectively, compared to 2012. Grain cargo consisted of some 1.3 million tons of soybeans, canola, wheat and corn, mostly grown by southern Ontario farmers for export to global markets.

"We have seen the Port of Hamilton emerge as a critical link in Ontario’s agricultural economy, and our growing tonnages reflect the value we provide to the hardworking agricultural producers throughout the region," said Bruce Wood, president and CEO of the Hamilton Port Authority (HPA).

The 2013 cargo report also reveals gains by iron ore, salt and gasoline and offsetting declines by coal, coke and finished steel.

"We’ve been seeing changes in the steel sector starting to show through in our cargo makeup," said Bruce Wood. "It’s not a surprise – we have spent the last five years proactively diversifying our cargo, so we have been able to balance these challenges with areas of strong growth."

Increasing volumes of Hamilton cargo are arriving or departing by rail, with more than 3,800 rail cars visiting the port in 2013, a 540-car increase from 2012.

Port officials are optimistic for 2014, based on a positive outlook for the regional and national economy, including, for example, southern Ontario’s advanced manufacturing sector. The port handles a wide variety of made-in-Ontario manufactured goods, such as power plant components, windmill components and construction equipment.

Portland (OR): Export Growth, New Development Highlight Port’s 2013 Maritime Performance

Increased export activity and facility investment emerged as dominant trends in the Port of Portland’s maritime business in 2013. That includes, for example, the successful start of Ford vehicle exports to China and South Korea, increased demand for mineral exports, investment in new ship loaders and a $40 million expansion of Columbia Grain’s Terminal 5 grain facility.

While tonnage was down slightly for the calendar year, the port finished 2013 with one of the highest volume months in recent history with 1.3 million tons handled in December and posted fiscal year gains at the halfway point that bode well for the year ahead.

Autos (import/export) – 262,512, down 7.6 percent.
Break bulk (import) – 903,067, down 8.3 percent.
Containers (import/export) – 178,451 TEUs, down 2.6 percent.

Import containers – 82,336 TEUs, up 13.3 percent.
Export containers – 96,115 TEUs, down 11.5 percent.

Grain (export) – 3,511,490 tons, down 12.7 percent.
Minerals (exports) – 5,072,060, up 5.7 percent.
Total tonnage – 11,937,580 tons, down 3.4 percent.

A labor jurisdictional dispute at the container terminal was resolved through direct involvement from Oregon Gov. John Kitzhaber. The port and its terminal operator, ICTSI Oregon, await a decision by Hanjin Shipping on whether the ocean container carrier will continue to call Portland.

Construction and expansion at the marine terminals included removal of antiquated equipment, new road and rail enhancements, additional storage facilities and new ship loaders. Auto Warehousing Company also completed a $2.8 million, 27,000 square-foot expansion of its processing building, thereby boosting capacity to more than 110,000 vehicles annually.

In addition to its offices in Tokyo, Seoul, Hong Kong and Taipei, the port has expanded overseas representation in mainland China with offices in Shanghai and Tianjin. Agents in these offices are responsible for marketing and retention efforts by maintaining direct customer contact abroad.