Hamilton-Oshawa Port Authority reports strong trade despite global economic climate

HOPA Ports (Hamilton–Oshawa Port Authority) says it has handled 10,814,699 metric tonnes (MT) of cargo across its growing Great Lakes Port Network during the 2025 navigation season.

In a release, HOPA says despite a challenging global economic climate and shifting trade conditions, it continued to advance cargo diversification and expand trade‑enabling infrastructure, strengthening Ontario’s competitiveness and opening new doors for Canadian exporters.

Last year, the Port of Hamilton handled 10,350,606 MT, the Port of Oshawa handled 464,093 MT, and the Thorold Hub moved 116,561 MT.

A total of 592 vessels were called at Hamilton, 72 at Oshawa, and 9 at Thorold.

“This year demonstrated the resilience and adaptability of our port network,” said Ian Hamilton, President & CEO of HOPA Ports said in the release. “Through long‑term planning and strategic partnerships, we are building a Great Lakes Port Network that connects Ontario industries to global markets, supports economic growth, and strengthens supply chains for decades to come.”

HOPA say as part of its long‑standing strategy to diversify trade, it continues to invest in a robust, province‑wide port and logistics network, ensuring “Canada is its own best trading partner” by strengthening domestic supply chains and expanding access to global markets.

Agri Food Growth Continues

Agri‑food cargo volumes including fertilizer, grain, and sugar, grew three per cent over 2024, increasing by 85,796 MT across the port network. Raw sugar and fertilizer saw especially strong gains at the Port of Hamilton, supporting Ontario’s food manufacturing sector.

Construction and Building Materials on the Rise

Gypsum, a key building material used in drywall, increased 33 per cent over last year, driven by regional housing construction and commercial development.

Steel Sector Impacted by Tariffs

Steel cargo experienced a sharp decline largely due to tariff instability. Other raw steel‑making materials fell five per cent, mirroring wider manufacturing slowdowns.

Oshawa Cargo Up 10 per cent

The Port of Oshawa posted a 10 per cent  increase in cargo year-over-year, supported by the movement of oversized industrial equipment including components for Metrolinx’s Ontario Line tunnel boring project.

General Cargo Nearly Doubles

General cargo volumes jumped 92 per cent over 2024; this includes machinery, parts, pressure vessels, transformer sets, and tank systems.

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