UN/LOCODE: CASTC📍 Canada

Port of Stoney Creek (UN/LOCODE CASTC)

❖ Coordinates: 43.2272°N, -79.7196°E

❖ Time Zone: America/Toronto

❖ UN/LOCODE: CASTC

## About the Port ### Geographic Positioning The Port of Stoney Creek, assigned UN/LOCODE **CASTC**, is a freshwater port on the southwestern shore of Lake Ontario at 43.2272182° N, 79.7195586° W. Located in Ontario, Canada, within the Stoney Creek community of the City of Hamilton, the port operates on America/Toronto time (UTC−5 standard, UTC−4 daylight). Although smaller than the adjacent Port of Hamilton, CASTC is an integral node of the Great Lakes–St. Lawrence Seaway network, providing regional vessels direct access to protected Lake Ontario waters and the Welland Canal corridor. The official UNECE LOCODE registry (https://unece.org/cefact/locode↗) lists Stoney Creek as a recognized cargo handling point serving industrial and bulk markets. ### Port Governance Transport Canada and the Canadian Coast Guard regulate navigational safety, while terminal operators manage berths under provincial and municipal frameworks. The port functions largely as a private industrial facility rather than a landlord port authority, with environmental compliance overseen by the Ontario Ministry of Environment, Conservation and Parks. ## History ### Indigenous Roots and Early Settlement The shoreline formed part of the traditional territory of the Neutral (Attiwandaronk) and Haudenosaunee nations, who used the lake for trade and sustenance. European settlement commenced in the 1790s, with the name Stoney Creek referencing the rocky tributary discharging into Lake Ontario. The area’s protected embayment facilitated early small-craft landings. ### Industrialization and Railway Expansion Commercial port activity expanded after the 1850s with the arrival of the Great Western Railway along the lakeshore. Wharves handled timber, tanbark, and agricultural products from the Niagara Peninsula. By the early 20th century, bulk minerals supplied the growing Hamilton steel industry, and local quarries utilized the port for outbound shipment of crushed stone. ### Seaway Integration Following the 1959 opening of the St. Lawrence Seaway, Stoney Creek became a satellite bulk terminal. While larger lakers favored Hamilton Harbour, CASTC specialized in aggregates and construction materials, leveraging Seaway connectivity for regional distribution and occasional international voyages. ## Infrastructure & Facilities ### Terminals and Berths The port features marginal wharves totalling roughly 600–800 m of quay, with alongside depths of 6.5–8.5 m maintained by periodic dredging. Berths accommodate Seaway-class lakers up to 225 m LOA with tug assistance. Harbour cranes (up to 30 t SWL), conveyors, and loaders service vessels, while fender systems are sized for vessels displacing up to 28,000 DWT. ### Storage and Handling Approximately 12 ha of open storage support aggregates, salt, and recycled materials. Enclosed transit sheds (~4,000 m²) protect sensitive cargo. A cement silo terminal with pneumatic lines enables direct truck/rail loading. Bunkering, fresh water, and shore power are available at designated berths, and wash-down facilities mitigate invasive species transfer. ### Multimodal Connectivity The site connects to the QEW and Highway 403 within 5 km, linking the Toronto–Hamilton freight corridor. Nearby CP and CN yards provide rail transfer within 8 km, while John C. Munro Hamilton International Airport lies 15 km away, supporting intermodal logistics and emergency spares airlift. ## Economic Importance ### Regional Supply Chain Role Annual throughput is estimated at 1–2 million tonnes, predominantly aggregates and cement vital to the Golden Horseshoe construction sector. Waterborne movement reduces truck traffic on the 400-series highways and cuts transport emissions significantly per tonne-kilometre, offering resilience against road congestion. ### Employment and Value Addition Direct port employment is approximately 150–250 jobs, with indirect gains in drayage, maintenance, and administration. Reliable delivery of flux stone and slag supports Hamilton’s metallurgical clusters, reinforcing regional industrial competitiveness and local tax bases. ### Environmental Performance The port’s modal shift contribution is notable: a single laker can replace over 700 truck movements, decreasing NOx and particulate emissions. Stoney Creek’s adherence to Green Marine benchmarks illustrates responsible sediment management and stormwater control aligned with federal freshwater protection rules. ## Trade Routes & Major Cargo ### Main Shipping Lanes Vessels transit Lake Ontario to the Welland Canal (35 km east) for Lake Erie and upper Great Lakes access, or downbound via the St. Lawrence Seaway to the Atlantic. The comprehensive corridor is detailed by the Great Lakes St. Lawrence Seaway System (https://www.greatlakes-seaway.com/↗). Seasonal navigation aligns with Seaway operations (April–December). Typical vessel types range from 10,000 DWT self-unloaders to 28,000 DWT Seawaymax bulkers. ### Commodity Profile Key inbound cargoes include limestone, sand, gravel, cement clinker, industrial salt from Goderich, and potash for Niagara agriculture. Outbound flows comprise recycled concrete, ferrous scrap, and fabricated steel to U.S. ports such as Buffalo and Cleveland. This balanced trade sustains Stoney Creek’s role as a low-carbon, resilient Great Lakes port serving the industrial heartland of Southern Ontario.

Port Intelligence

UN/LOCODE

CASTC

Country

Canada

Province / Region

Ontario

Latitude

43.227218

Longitude

-79.719559

Timezone

America/Toronto

Nautical Map (OpenSeaMap)

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the UN/LOCODE for Port of Stoney Creek?

The official UN/LOCODE for Port of Stoney Creek is CASTC.

Where is Port of Stoney Creek located?

The Port of Stoney Creek is located in Canada, Ontario. Its coordinates are 43.2272°N, -79.7196°E.

What time zone is Port of Stoney Creek in?

Port of Stoney Creek operates in the America/Toronto time zone.

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About the World Port Index

This data is sourced programmatically. The UN/LOCODE is the official geographic coding scheme used by the United Nations for trade and transport locations.

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