Dear Modelers:  Did you know.....

    It was recently announced Canpotex will be receiving 700 more NSC 3 Bay 4300 cu ft Potash Cars. The official announcement is below.

Stay tuned to PWRS for a special announcement regarding these new cars!!!!!

     SASKATOON, June 18, 2015 /PRNewswire/ - Canpotex has selected National Steel Car of Hamilton, Ontario, to manufacture 700 new railcars specially designed to transport Saskatchewan potash to coastal ports. Canpotex's investment in these additional railcars is valued at $70 million. Since 1999, Canpotex has invested over $500 million to build over 7,000 railcars with National Steel Car.

     "Canpotex's success is due in part to our 43-year reputation as a reliable supplier of potash. The quality and innovative design of the railcars from National Steel Car will ensure we continue to reliably deliver the potash our global customers need, when they need it," Canpotex President and CEO Steve Dechka noted.

     Canpotex's railcars are custom-designed in Canada by National Steel Car in collaboration with Canpotex to conform ‎to the specific properties of potash. This innovative design has allowed Canpotex to optimize the number of tonnes per railcar as well as maximizing the number of railcars per unit train‎. The use of these cars by Canpotex has increased overall train efficiencies by over 90%, resulting in reduced greenhouse gas emissions as well as enhanced capacities within respective rail corridors. As a result, since 2000, Canpotex has doubled its annual rail shipments without adding an additional train and, consequently, without placing any additional strain on Canada's rail system.

     Mr. Dechka added, "Canadians throughout the country benefit from the global export of Saskatchewan potash. We are delighted Canpotex's $70 million investment in railcar capacity will stay in Canada by working with National Steel Car and their Hamilton employees."

     "We are proud of our strong relationship and 20-year history of working with and producing industry-leading potash cars for Canpotex," stated Gregory J. Aziz, National Steel Car's Chairman and CEO. "We greatly appreciate the trust Canpotex has repeatedly placed with our company. This order alone will secure approximately seven months of employment for over 400 of our 2,400 employees, and will provide significant additional benefits to our Province."

     Potash is Canada's largest mineral export and Canpotex currently ships in excess of 10 million tonnes per year, representing approximately $3 billion in annual exports. Once in service, Canpotex's railcars will transport potash from Saskatchewan to Canpotex port facilities in Canada and the United States, to meet the needs of Canpotex's customers in 36 global markets.

     Operating continuously since 1972, Canpotex is the exclusive offshore potash marketing and export company owned by the three Saskatchewan potash-producing companies: Agrium Inc., Mosaic Canada Crop Nutrition, LP, a subsidiary of The Mosaic Company, and Potash Corporation of Saskatchewan Inc.

     National Steel Car is proud to call Hamilton home. With over 100 years of excellence in engineering, manufacturing and continuous commitment to safety and quality, National Steel Car has earned its reputation as North America's leading railroad freight and tank car manufacturer.

Dear Modelers:  Did you know.....

Canpotex has a large Investment at the Port of Portland Terminal 5

     Portland is already the largest gateway on the U.S. West Coast for bulk mineral exports, and that gateway is about to get more efficient and diversified with the expansion of the Canpotex Limited (Canpotex) potash export facility at the Port of Portland's marine Terminal 5 in the Rivergate Industrial District.

     Canpotex, through its wholly owned subsidiary, Portland Bulk Terminals, L.L.C. (PBT), is investing up to $140 million in new equipment and infrastructure to improve the efficiency of its shiploading operations and the management of Canpotex’s specialty white potash products. A new shiploader, improved control system technology and an upgraded conveyance system will enable shorter turnaround times for Canpotex trains and ships at PBT. A new storage building will allow the potash exporter to better manage its specialty grade products at the terminal.

     “This investment is great for Canpotex and the Port because it improves the speed and quality of our operations at the terminal. But it’s not just our company that benefits; we are doing our part to try to build efficiency into the transportation system in the Pacific Northwest corridor,” said Canpotex’s Steve Dechka, president and chief executive officer.

     After significant collaboration and discussion with key stakeholders, Port staff and Portland Development Commission (PDC) personnel proposed an enterprise zone expansion to include the PBT facility. The expanded enterprise zone was approved unanimously by Portland City Council last December. The company’s plans began to materialize shortly thereafter and were officially approved at the October 8 Port Commission meeting.

     Canpotex is a joint venture among three Province of Saskatchewan, Canada potash producers: Agrium, Mosaic and PotashCorp. Acting as an international marketing and logistics entity, Canpotex will continue to seek further capacity and efficiency enhancements across its supply chain as export markets allow. In addition to PBT, Canpotex has terminal operations at Neptune Terminal in Vancouver, B.C.

     Potash, also known as potassium chloride, helps increase crop yields as a mineral nutrient used in fertilizer applications. More than two million metric tons of Saskatchewan potash is exported through Portland annually to international markets including Australia, Brazil, China, Japan, Korea and Taiwan.

      “Along with grain and agricultural exports, potash is yet another cargo type handled through our port that helps feed the world,” said Bill Wyatt, executive director for the Port of Portland. “Canpotex has been a great tenant for nearly two decades, and we are excited that this world-class shipper’s roots in Portland are growing even deeper with this expansion.”

      As a result of a long-term lease extension, Canpotex expects to increase its tonnage incrementally in the coming years. The construction will prompt private investment with local sourcing of materials, yielding increased tax revenue, new construction jobs and long-term employment.

     “This is yet another prime example of the influx of private investments in marine industrial facilities on our river system,” said Wyatt. “Since completion of the Columbia River channel deepening project in 2010, companies have initiated and committed investments totaling more than $866 million in Portland facilities and approximately $3.7 billion along the river system to date.”

     “Attracting this significant foreign direct investment relied on strong collaboration between PDC, the city, the Port and Canpotex,” said Patrick Quinton, executive director of the PDC. “We’re very pleased to be able to use the Enterprise Zone program to build Portland’s exports and bring considerable community benefits to North and Northeast Portland.”

About the Port of Portland
      Established in 1891 by the Oregon Legislature, the Port of Portland owns four marine terminals, three airports (Portland International, Hillsboro, and Troutdale) and five industrial parks. The mission of the Port is to enhance the region's economy and quality of life by providing efficient cargo and air passenger access to national and global markets.

Dear Modelers:  Did you know.....

The NMRA 2015 Portland Express Convention is in Portland this August?

Very Interesting........What might be coming next?

Stay Tuned