Photo: Dr. Jean-Paul Rodrigue, 2007.

Grain Elevator Complex, Port of Halifax

The global trade of grain using maritime shipping is an activity that has taken place at a large scale for more than a century. For countries such as Canada, grain exports have been a strong factor behind the development of inland rail networks as well as port terminals. For ports, this mainly implied the construction of large grain elevator complexes able, through a system of conveyor belts, to load bulk cargo ships.

"Grain trading itself is a business of large volumes, narrow margins and rapid execution of trades. Despite the large volumes in which the grain is traded, there is increasing emphasis on flexibility. One consignment may be traded several times before finally being shipped. In the US, grain continues to be traded after being loaded into the barges for the journey down the Mississippi. The decision as to which ocean-going vessel the grain will be loaded into is delayed as long as possible in hopes of obtaining a better price for the shipment. Even after it is loaded onto the vessel, it can still be traded and the vessel rerouted. In this business, flexibility is the source of profits." 

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