The Hamilton-Oshawa Port Authority’s (HOPA) Board of Directors met Wednesday evening for a public annual general meeting. During the meeting, they approved the federal corporation’s financial statements, transacted annual business, and provided a community update on the Port’s activities.
HOPA’s revenues increased by eight percent in 2024. Port revenue reached $46,910,005, up from $43,340,531.
Agricultural goods are a leading reason for increases in shipping and revenue, accounting for 40 percent of cargo. The Port is now home to Canada’s largest sugar refinery.
The ongoing Trump tariffs and resulting trade wars were top of mind during the AGM. The Port is optimistic for 2025, but cautious due to uncertainty of what U.S. President Donald Trump may do next.
CBSA Customs Approval Request and Hope for a Customs Station
The Port’s new inland rail terminal for containers is ready to open. However, it is still awaiting Canada Border Services Agency approval for a sufferance warehouse to enable importers to clear customs at the port.
The new inland rail terminal will permit importers to ship containers directly to Hamilton by rail from ocean ports of entry and have customs clearance completed closer to the final destination.
Conducting inspections inland will also improve trade by reducing bottlenecks presently occurring at ocean ports.
It will also enable Hamilton exports to increase international trade of products including steel and agricultural goods.
“What we’ve applied for specifically is an AR sufferance warehouse,” HOPA President & CEO Ian Hamilton said.
“What that allows us to do is to bring containers that have gone to a first port of arrival and then would be moved by rail into Hamilton without having cleared customs … [The containers] arrive bonded and then they can be cleared customs in Hamilton.”
Securing CBSA approval for the sufferance warehouse is also a top lobbying priority for the City of Hamilton as part of its tariff response strategy.
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Published: May 15, 2025
Last updated: May 15, 2025
Author: Joey Coleman
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