Grainswest - Spring 2026

Spring 2026 Grains West 14 THE FARMGATE INITIATED IN JULY 2025, THE V6 Odyssey port terminal project is billed as “Canada’s first low-carbon, enhanced efficiency fertilizers and commercial phosphate fertilizer terminal.” Situated on the Saint Lawrence River south of Ottawa, it’s a joint venture between V6 Agronomy and the Port of Johnstown. As it receives Prairie commodities such as durum wheat, lentils, potash and sulphur via CN Rail, it will send matchback rail- cars of phosphate and specialty fertilizers to the West. “We have Ontario’s premier port that, prior to the partnership with V6 Agronomy, saw us only shipping grains,” said Leslie Drynan, the port’s general manager. In 2024, it moved almost one million tonnes of primarily eastern corn, soybeans and wheat. “Our current termi- nal is at 98 per cent capacity, so now is the time to expand.” “We are looking to create a world-class system for vessel loading and reception of inbound goods,” said Ryan Brophy, V6 CEO. “It will occupy a key location close to the mouth of the Saint Lawrence and be a place that skippers, vessel owners, shippers and traders will look forward to visiting.” Over the next few years, the project will erect four buildings with to- tal storage space of 150,000 tonnes. The first building will be ready to receive bulk product in the third quarter of 2026. The new terminal will provide a trade pathway for western farmers to markets in Eastern Canada and overseas. “The result is a Canadian‑controlled logistics chain that improves rail asset utilization, strengthens national food security and reduces reliance on foreign infrastruc- ture for critical agricultural inputs and exports,” states a V6 press release. “I want to create our own strong and sustainable supply chain for fertilizer and open up matchback opportunities for all railcars going west,” said Brophy. “Since the cars can head west with commercial phosphates that are not available domes- tically and return east with high-quality Canadain grains, it really enhances interprovincial trade.” In an emailed statement, Fertilizer Canada welcomed the new terminal. “Infrastructure like this is essential to ensuring Canadian farmers have timely access to the nutrients they need to grow healthy, sustainable crops. Additionally, expanding capacity at key transportation hubs strengthens supply chains, reduces bottlenecks and improves the reliability of fertilizer delivery across the country. These efforts demonstrate how Canada’s fertilizer sector continues to take proac- tive steps to build resilience and enhance our agricultural competitiveness and food security.” The terminal may help bolster Cana- da’s image on the world stage. “A lot of the shipping business comes down to effi- ciency, facility resilience and operational excellence,” said Brophy. “Commercially and from a supply chain security stand- point, Canada has taken a big hit lately thanks to labour shutouts, rail shutdowns and protests. By operating this terminal as a private entity, we are seeking to mitigate many perceived risks on the part of our new trading partners.” Brophy said he is disappointed in the lack of federal and provincial government support for the project. “There has been much talk about nation building projects in Canada, and we need more critical infrastructure to support supply manage- ment and food security. This undertaking will be as significant in scope as those headline projects, but without the pomp, pageantry and huge capital expenses. “Although that has made it challenging, we have been working directly with our customers, farmers and companies in the primary ag sector to make this happen. I’m proud of that, and pleased that this will be a truly made in Canada success.” East-west exchange New Ontario shipping terminal has Prairie connection BY GEOFF GEDDES • PHOTO COURTESY OF V6 AGRONOMY Bags of enhanced efficiency fertilizer offloaded for V6 Agronomy at the the Port of Johnstown sit ready for rail shipment to Saskatchewan. Once built, the V6 Odyssey terminal will store up to 150,000 tonnes of crop inputs.