New Welland Canal hub a game-changer

(Posted on 06/12/20)

The Thorold Multimodal Hub, in the heart of Niagara, Canada, is offering more than 500,000 square feet of available indoor warehouse and 200-acre outdoor storage and material handling space, providing flexible solutions that can be configured to suit diverse industrial operations.

The Hub comprises space owned by HOPA Ports, as well as a 155-acre former paper mill; the latter is a massive facility purchased recently by Bioveld Canada Inc.. Bioveld specializes in the productive repurposing of brownfield and industrial sites. “As a single point of contact for communities and corporations looking for progressive, long-term solutions, we leverage our experience leading restorative development teams to provide long-term gains for the investors, partners, and communities we work with,” said Bioveld Canada’s Board Chair, David Townsend.

This new major regional facility will be managed by HOPA Ports, through its subsidiary Great Lakes Port Management. Available spaces within the Hub feature infrastructure to reduce transportation costs and boost efficiency, with integrated, multimodal connections for industrial tenants. It will also include on-site property management and development services provided by HOPA Ports’ experienced team.

This investment in Niagara by Bioveld Canada and HOPA Ports is a step towards a more efficient and integrated network of marine facilities in Ontario. “As Ontario positions itself for an economic recovery, and as the province’s population and congestion issues grow, it just makes sense for us to be making better use of Ontario’s industrial and multimodal transportation capacity,” said Ian Hamilton, President and CEO of HOPA Ports. “With all of its advantages, Niagara is a natural place to invest.” HOPA Ports already operates integrated port facilities in Hamilton and Oshawa, and is very optimistic about the contribution to economic development and sustainable operation that the Thorold Multimodal Hub can make.

The Thorold Multimodal Hub is the first concrete step in the Niagara Ports plan, which was agreed by HOPA Ports and Niagara civic stakeholders in September. Niagara Ports is a plan to create a corridor of multimodal industrial hubs along the Welland Canal in Niagara. Other hubs, in Port Colborne and Welland, are currently in conceptual stages.

“This is a highly flexible, waterfront space that can accommodate a variety of industrial operators,” said Jeremy Dunn, Commercial Vice President with HOPA Ports. “Leases here will include indoor, outdoor, turnkey and develop-to-suit. Companies locating here will benefit from the proximity to the U.S. border, the availability of marine and rail, and strategic location in the Niagara-Hamilton-Toronto trade corridor.”

Available spaces include a central warehouse, several other warehousing sites, truck dock and bays, train shed and manufacturing shops, as well as a wood shop, auto shop and offices. Some spaces are turnkey while others can be customized. With such variety, and the ability to be flexible in creating dynamic workspace for businesses, endless opportunities exist for businesses to prosper in the new Thorold Multimodal Hub.