Canpotex Ltd. announced on Oct. 27 that it is acquiring 1,300 custom railcars from National Steel Car (NSC) in Hamilton, Ont., increasing the Canpotex fleet to 8,000 cars by June 2023. The railcars will be used to help transport potash to overseas customers by delivering potash from Saskatchewan to three main terminals on the East and West Coasts of North America.
“This acquisition of railcars demonstrates Canpotex’s commitment to investing in our world-class supply chain and in global food security,” said Gord McKenzie, Canpotex President and CEO. “By adding capacity within our railcar fleet, we have greater flexibility in shipping options. This increased railcar capacity ensures our potash is reliably delivered to our customers overseas, ultimately helping the world’s farmers grow higher-yielding crops on each acre of land.”
The new railcars, valued at over US$155 million dollars, are a continued evolution of Canpotex’s custom design, which is meant to maximize productivity, enhance safety, and minimize maintenance. One notable feature on the new railcars is the enhanced steering system that reduces overall fuel consumption, maintenance, and enhances safety.