Second phase of ‘future proof’ major expansion of harbour in eastern Ontario underway

The second phase of a $35 million-plus expansion of the Port of Oshawa’s grain terminal is underway, with a focus on improving access and traffic flow in and out of the harbour for farmers in the eastern GTA.

The newly expanded terminal opened last November and now offers a total of 20,000 metric tonnes (MT) of storage capacity and features a vessel loading rate of up to 12,000 MT per day, ensuring fast and efficient grain loading

A new dual truck unloading structure, capable of receiving 700 MT per hour, is streamlining deliveries and minimizing delays. The facility has weather protection, as well as a modern dust control system to meet environmental standards.

“Making this facility work for regional farmers is our priority; we’ve invested in quality infrastructure, improving the terminal’s efficiency from the front gate right onto the vessel,” said Hamilton-Oshawa Port Authority (HOPA) CEO Ian Hamilton last year. “We’re thrilled the Port of Oshawa is contributing to the resiliency and reliability of Canadian agricultural supply chains.”

Construction is continuing this spring, reshaping key infrastructure to strengthen and “future-proof” the regional supply chain. The upgrades are already delivering benefits to Ontario’s agricultural sector and will extend efficiencies to industries such as manufacturing and construction.

Phase 2 of construction will include a full road reconstruction and extension; the installation of new underground infrastructure (stormwater, sanitary, water, telecom); upgraded electrical servicing and street lighting; and enhanced security with speed gates and perimeter fencing.

“We’re making these upgrades to ensure the Port of Oshawa works better for the people who rely on it, whether that’s moving grain, building materials, or equipment,” said Larissa Fenn, VP of Corporate Affairs at HOPA Ports. “By modernizing roadways, utilities, and security systems, we’re ensuring the port can meet the growing demands of industry, while supporting a more reliable and connected regional supply chain.”

The improved facility, funded in part by a $14 million contribution from the federal government’s National Trade Corridors Fund, will help address past issues that impacted its performance, such as delivery lineups, underutilized silos and weather-related operational delays. Accessing and using the site is now easier, saving time and money for farmers. Full-scale dredging of the Oshawa Harbour will ensure that vessels can navigate safely and be loaded to capacity.

The terminal is expected to provide a much-needed export option for local farmers, while freeing up new capacity at other facilities in the region to handle Ontario’s growing grain output.

The new terminal offers a local delivery point for farmers in the GTA-East region, significantly reducing the distance many of the region’s farmers are travelling to deliver their grain. This reduction in kilometers will help lower greenhouse gas emissions, providing both economic and environmental benefits, with the improvements expected to remove an estimated 12,000 long-distance heavy truck trips from Ontario highways.

The terminal, a joint venture between HOPA Ports and QSL, the company supplying the port’s stevedores, will be ramped in the coming years, with Ontario’s grain production for export expected to increase by two million metric tonnes over the coming decades, with at least 300,000 MT of that grown within the Port of Oshawa’s catchment area.

The MV CSL Welland had the honours of being the first ocean-going vessel to use the facility last November.