Recently the Halifax Grain Elevator was able to use their facility to load twenty foot marine containers with Maritime grown soybeans. “This is distinctly different than previous handling practices, because it represents the first time that we have been able to export this type of pulse product in containers directly from the Port of Halifax.” said Jeff Brownlie, Manager of Finance and Administration at the Halifax Grain Elevator Ltd. “Before this container loading technology was installed here, these soybeans would have been transloaded at the nearest such facility located over 1,000 kilometres away from the Port of Halifax,” said Brownlie.
“We are always looking for new ways to add value for Atlantic Canadian exporters and to continue to diversify our regional business,” said Patrick Bohan, Business Development Manager at the Halifax Port Authority. “The pulse growing industry has really started to develop in the Maritimes, and we look forward to continuing to work with our partners to expand this container loading activity to additional commodities and new markets.”
The Halifax Grain Elevator is a longstanding landmark on the Halifax Harbour – the first silo was built in 1924, with multiple expansions as demand grew. In 1967, the final expansion was completed and to this day the Grain Elevator has been serving the region with feed for livestock, grain for local mills and export, wood pellets for export and now pulse products for export. The Halifax Grain Elevator includes 365 silos or bins and three “workhouses” with 10 bucket elevators, 20 dust collector units and 55 conveyer belts. It is the only operating elevator of its kind in Atlantic Canada.
