Canadian Pacific and Canadian National have welcomed the new year by announcing the latest in an ongoing string of records for Canadian grain movement.
Canadian Pacific closed out 2020 by setting records in a calendar year, quarter, and the month of December. The railroad moved 31.32 million metric tons of grain in 2020, with 8.84 million metric tons in the fourth quarter, a 5.1% increase over its previous best, the second quarter of 2020. December’s 2.84 million metric tons bettered the record set in 2019 by 13.6%. “Hard-won achievements like these require commitment and focus across the supply chain, but special credit must go to CP’s customers and their dedicated employees,” Joan Hardy, CP vice-president, sales and marketing, grain and fertilizers, said in a press release. “Their work to create a safe, efficient supply chain is an essential ingredient in our ability to deliver Canada’s crops to consumers at home and around the world.” The grain records reflect in part the use of a growing fleet of new grain hoppers, which carry 15% more grain by volume and 10% more by weight.
Canadian National, meanwhile, moved 2.84 million metric tons of grain in December to set a monthly record for the 10th consecutive month. For the 2020-21 crop year, the railroad has moved 14.5 million metric tons, an increase of more than 2 metric tons, or more than 15%, over the figure at this point in the railroad’s current record for a crop year. Rob Reilly, CN executive vice president and chief operation officer, said in a press release, “2020 was a challenging year for everyone along the supply chain. Our dedicated employees and partners have demonstrated their resilience and courage in uncertain times. These record grain shipments are coming at the same time as CN is shipping very high volumes of many other commodities such as lumber, potash, propane and consumer goods. While we are proud of December’s results, we do not take them for granted and we will continue to work hard to safely move our customers’ goods.”
