THUNDER BAY — By the time the 2020 shipping season ends in Thunder Bay, more than 150 ocean-going vessels, or salties, will have dropped anchor in the port.
It's a reflection of the increased demand this year for Canadian grain in overseas markets including Europe, the Middle East and North Africa.
Thunder Bay hasn't seen this many salties in one season in two decades.
As of Oct. 31, more than 2.0 million metric tonnes of grain have been directly exported from Thunder Bay elevators on ocean-going vessels, a 54 per cent increase over the same period last year.
An additional 4.9 million metric tonnes have been shipped from the port to other Great Lakes and St. Lawrence Seaway ports, much of which was then transferred to salties for export overseas.
The Thunder Bay Port Authority says the grain surge has been boosted by record European imports of canola.
SInce China embargoed imports of the oilseed from this country last year, the European Union has sourced more canola from Canada.
Shipments of all grain products out of Thunder Bay are up about 22 per cent over last year.
To date, a total of 358 domestic and foreign cargo vessels have visited the port, 44 more than in the same period in 2019.
