When there’s room for operational improvement,
we find it
Our solution: Integration within Mosaic’s supply chain and work closely with the Class 1 railways and Mosaic to streamline operations and improve efficiencies for all.
Mosaic wanted rail switching crews to be on hand 24/7 to provide dedicated switching and railcar mechanical service. It also wanted a rail service provider that would work alongside its team, so it would understand Mosaic’s operations and could spot opportunities for improvement.
Across all mines, Cando builds unit trains 75 to 205 cars long for CP and CN to hook and haul. At Mosaic’s Esterhazy mines, Cando works with CN and builds 205 car export trains. In preparation for Class 1 departure, Cando’s crews perform a regulatory air brake test on each car and provide documentation to the Class 1 partner for expedited movements. All the work is done in advance by Cando, which allows the Class 1s to move the product to Mosaic’s customers faster and improve cycle times on the railcars.
As a dedicated long-term partner, Cando continuously looks for ways to make Mosaic’s supply chain more efficient, including railcar staging and railcar fleet management and logistics. Cando helped design and build a railcar storage yard adjacent to Mosaic’s Belle Plaine mine on-time and on-budget, and now helps Mosaic utilize the yard for regular operations to keep the loadout from shutting down due to congestion. In addition, Cando can store approximately 20% of Mosaic’s potash railcar fleet with an anchor tenant agreement at our Winnipeg Terminal. Cando helped Mosaic to implement a new railcar inventory management system at eight railyards across the Saskatchewan rail network. The management system monitors Mosaic’s railcars, automates yard functions, and provides numerous analytics to improve operational efficiency.
Since working with Mosaic, Cando has helped the company reduce costs significantly and move more product. Mosaic has broken numerous production and loading records since Cando has been on site. For example, Cando’s crews helped Mosaic achieve a 5.5% increase in production output numbers in 2022 compared to 2021. Other highlights:
Mosaic has eliminated almost all demurrage costs, and now has the flexibility and capacity to load multiple products at once to keep the mines running, creating numerous cost reductions through Cando’s value-added specialized services.
Cando’s trackage rights on Class 1 track and ability to deliver trains directly to the Class 1s main line track is a win-win-win for Cando, Mosaic, and the Class 1 –our service improves the velocity of railcar traffic across the network for the Class 1 and in turn results in improved railcar fleet utilization and decreased cycle time for Mosaic.
The sustained collaboration among Cando, Mosaic, and CP reflects the close working relationships that are fundamental to Cando’s service. Each company benefits by gaining operational and cost-saving efficiencies, enhanced revenue through increased production, and strengthens the focus on its core business.
1. Winnipeg
The journey starts as an empty railcar in Winnipeg enroute to a potash mine in Saskatchewan. While the railcar resides in Winnipeg, Cando provides storage, switching, and railcar repair services.
2. Esterhazy, SK/Belle Plaine, SK/Colonsay, SK
Empty railcars are hauled from Winnipeg to the mine sites by the Class 1 railroad. Cando switches and loads these railcars, builds trains, performs train ready services, and prepares to deliver them to the Class 1.
3. Bredenbury, SK
Cando provides haulage services of loaded Mosaic railcars from the mine site to Bredenbury yard and delivers the outbound train to CP for main line movements.
4. Kamloops
Cando’s Kamloops facility is a staging and storage facility on the way to the Port of Vancouver. It functions as a “regulator” for unit trains delivering to the Port. The Class 1 railroad hauls the assembled train to the Port for just in-time vessel loading.
5. Port of Vancouver
This port on the west coast receives the loaded potash train for export. Cando has no involvement inside the Port.
6. Winnipeg
Empty railcars are returned to Winnipeg and the mines by the Class 1 railroad and the journey begins again.