Redpath Sugar was delighted to join PortsToronto on March 31 to celebrate the start of the commercial shipping season with the arrival of the MV Blacky, which delivered more than 19,000 metric tons of raw sugar to our Toronto Refinery.
Each spring, the captain of the first ocean-going vessel, or “saltie,” to arrive at the Port of Toronto is “crowned” with a top hat during the Port's Top Hat Ceremony. This 164-year tradition marks the official opening of the commercial shipping season and highlights the critical role Toronto’s commercial waterfront plays in supporting the local, provincial and national economy.
“We are incredibly proud of our 65-year history operating on Toronto’s waterfront,” said Redpath® Sugar Brand Development Manager Ashley Black. “It truly is a special community, and our long-standing partnership with PortsToronto has enabled us to share a collective vision for its growth and prosperity.”
The sugar aboard the MV Blacky has been ethically and sustainably sourced from Brazil, reflecting our ongoing commitment to ensure we have an ethical supply chain. The trip from the Port of São Sebastião under Captain Sergei Soldatkin took approximately 30 days.
Redpath Sugar is one of Canada's most established and reputable sugar companies. With a legacy spanning more than 170 years, the company has been an integral part of Canada's food industry.
Operating on the Toronto Harbourfront since 1959, the Redpath Sugar Toronto Refinery was the city's first industrial business constructed to coincide with the opening of the St. Lawrence Seaway, which facilitated the transit of cargo ships between the Atlantic Ocean and the Great Lakes. The refinery employs 300 people and is one of the most technologically advanced sugar refineries in North America, supplying much of the Canadian market.