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8/9/2024
In the second quarter, Union Pacific Railroad (UP) set a record for potash shipments moved to Portland, Oregon, for Canpotex.
A valuable mineral containing potassium, potash typically is used as an agricultural fertilizer.
Canpotex sources potash produced by its shareholders Mosaic and Nutrien in Saskatchewan, Canada. Canpotex annually supplies more than 13 million tons of potash to 40 countries overseas, including Brazil, China, India, Indonesia and Malaysia. About 20% of the exports move through the Port of Portland, according to a UP “Inside Track” post.
In 2018, Canpotex completed a $150 million facility expansion at the port’s Terminal 5. Since then, UP typically moves more than a dozen unit trains per month to Portland, each carrying 188 carloads of the shipper’s potash.
Collaboration and communication between the railroad and Canpotex has helped the Class I exceed expectations with the potash volume increase by ensuring all resources were in place to handle the additional business, said UP General Director of Marketing and Sales Beth Steele.
“We’re looking forward to more opportunities with Canpotex as we grow together through operational excellence,” she said.
The potash moves involve coordination with Canadian Pacific Kansas City, which interchanges with UP in Eastport, Idaho. From there, UP transports the unit trains to Portland via Hinkle, Oregon.
“Reliability is critical for potash shipments. Partners like Union Pacific have an important role in [our] supply chain that makes global food security possible,” said Canpotex Senior Vice President of Operations Vinesh Kohli.