Busy September Brings Record Cargo

Keefer Terminal experienced a significant surge in general cargo traffic in September, making it the Terminal’s busiest month in recent history. Year-to-date cargo at Keefer Terminal has more than doubled from last year’s record year, with 48% of all 2023 cargo tonnage coming into Keefer Terminal in September alone. Freight included shipments of steel pipe, steel rail, wind turbine components, and phosphate fertilizer.

Potash continues to surge in the port this season with over 240,000 MT (metric tons) shipped in the past month. This volume has more than doubled that of September 2022, and total volumes have successfully surpassed the 1,000,000 MT milestone for this year. While year-to-date potash cargo in the port has chased last year’s 32-year high all season, with the close of September, total potash has now surpassed last year’s volume by the same date.

The recovery trend for grain continues in the fall; an additional 1.29 million MT of grain has been shipped this season over last year. Grain trails 7% behind the five-year average. Grain in port is gradually returning to average levels following a severe Prairie drought in 2021.