CALGARY — Recovery from British Columbia’s port strikes could last into 2024, potentially impacting grain movements, CPKC said this week in issuing 2023-24 Grain Service Outlook Report.
The annual report outlines plans to handle Canada’s grain harvest for export.
“As we look toward the upcoming 2023-2024 crop year, CPKC is once again well prepared to move Canada’s grain crop to market, just as we have throughout our 142-year history,” CPKC CEO Keith Creel said in a statement accompanying release of the report. “We have the capacity and the team to deliver for our grain customers and the Canadian economy during the upcoming crop year.”
The railroad has completed purchase of more than 5,900 higher-capacity grain hoppers, costing more than $500 million, as part of its efforts to handle grain traffic. CPKC says completion of the merger will provide Canadian grain shippers with access to new markets in Mexico, as well as new options for shipping grain for export.
The full grain service report is available here.
With the Russians bombing the Port of Odessa and the 2 ports on the Danube as well, and rail congestion trying to get grain to North Sea ports, grain exports from North America are key to keeping the markets stable, especially in Africa.