Cargo shipments through the Port of Hamilton continued to grow and diversity in 2012. As reported by the port authority, the primary impetus came from the agricultural center, with increases over 2011 of 27 percent for fertilizer and 6 percent for grain.  Soybeans grown in Ontario supplied nearly a million tons of cargo, most of it bound for overseas markets. Agriculture accounted for 16 percent of the port’s cargo tonnage in 2012, up from 8 percent just five years ago.

Project cargo 2012 was triple the volume handled in 2011. Major shipments included wind turbine components, power plant process towers, rail cars and nuclear plant rotors. Finished steel and iron ore posted significant gains as well. In sum, the port handled 10.3 million tons of cargo in 2012, a 3.0 percent increase from 2011.