After nearly 30 years, a fertilizer vessel has returned to the rail-served Port of Johnstown in Eastern Ontario, reopening one of Canada’s most strategic ag gateways, V6 Agronomy reported Dec. 1.
The recent arrival of the Federal Montreal to the new V6 Odyssey Terminal “marks the start of a modern Prairie–Seaway corridor led by V6 Agronomy and the Port of Johnstown, linking Western Canadian producers with Eastern and global markets,” according to V6 Agronomy, which is described as a “Canadian agricultural solutions” company. “This is a major step toward a stronger, Canadian-controlled nutrient and grain supply chain.”
The Port of Johnstown is on the St. Lawrence Seaway (see map above). Its spur line connects shippers to CN’s double-tracked main line along the Windsor–Quebec City corridor, and through interchange agreements provides service to Canadian Pacific Kansas City. The Port is also near the junction of several major roadways, including the 401 linking to Montreal and Toronto and the 416 linking to Ottawa; these arteries intersect within 1.2 miles (2 kilometers) of the Port and connect to the Prescott-Ogdensburg bridge to the United States. Country Road No. 2 provides access to neighboring Seaway towns, such as Prescott, Cardinal and Brockville.
According to V6 Agronomy, the Federal Montreal reactivated “a long‑dormant section of the St. Lawrence Seaway.” The renewed Prairie–Seaway trade corridor, it reported, links inbound fertilizers with outbound grain, pulses, and agri‑products through an integrated marine‑rail pathway: the Port of Johnstown.
Reestablishing direct marine fertilizer imports into Eastern Ontario is said to deliver:
- “Reliable, domestically controlled access to essential crop nutrients.
- “Expanded eastbound marine capacity for Prairie growers.
- “Efficient match-back flows for outbound grain, pulses, and agri‑products.
- “Reduced transportation emissions through improved marine and rail efficiencies.
- “New global diversification opportunities, including access to European and emerging markets.”
All discharge, handling, and loading operations occur entirely within the marine and rail footprint, which ensures that there is no impact on municipal roads or surrounding communities, according to V6 Agronomy.
Additionally, it said, Eastern Ontario provides “year‑round scalability with no competing vessel queues, positioning the Port of Johnstown as a critical alternative pathway in Canada’s agricultural export architecture.”
The renewed Prairie–Seaway trade corridor, V6 Agronomy continued, aligns with commitments outlined in Budget 2025, including:
- “Strengthening Canada’s supply chain sovereignty.
- “Expanding the Trade Diversification Corridors Fund (TDCF).
- “Scaling inland logistics capacity via the National Trade Corridors Fund (NTCF).
- “Advancing fertilizer emissions‑reduction through enhanced nutrient pathways.
- “Supporting rural economic development and regional infrastructure renewal.”
“By reactivating this gateway, we are creating a reliable, efficient, and globally competitive route that benefits farmers from the Prairies to the Great Lakes,” V6 Agronomy CEO Ryan Brophy said. “It’s a major step forward for Canada’s agricultural sector.”
“Through our strong partnership with V6 Agronomy, the Port of Johnstown is activating a modern marine‑rail corridor that strengthens national supply chains, supports Prairie growers, and creates new opportunities for Canadian agriculture,” Port of Johnstown General Manager Leslie Drynan noted.
“V6’s investment into this corridor represents a very meaningful milestone in establishing a resilient Canada‑wide fertilizer supply chain that strengthens crop nutrition security for growers across the country,” reported Fertinagro Biotech International, a Spanish fertilizer producer. “We see this as a strategically significant advancement—one that enhances national supply resilience, expands access to next‑generation fertilizer technologies, and creates new collaboration opportunities in sustainable nutrient innovation.”
