Canada’s WWII wartime partnership with Delaware at sea

In times of global challenges, Canada has partnered with Delaware to keep us protected. During World War II, Canadian merchant ships regularly carried steel, grain, aluminum, and other essential materials up the Delaware River to feed Wilmington’s chemical and munitions production for the war effort.

Royal Canadian Navy escorts protected the convoys that supplied Delaware’s ports. In 1942–1943 alone, Canadian escorts were involved in hundreds of convoy movements along the U.S. Eastern Seaboard during peak German U-boat activity. Canadian ships slipped into Delaware Bay to refuel or take shelter, working alongside U.S. units during some of the most dangerous periods offshore. Over 70 Canadian warships conducted escort or anti-submarine operations along the coast.

This practical, everyday cooperation linked Canadian crews and Delaware workers, contributing to a larger effort that mattered far beyond their own shoreline.

Ultrachem counts Canada as its #1 export destination

Founded in 1965 in New Castle, Ultrachem, Inc. produces high-quality specialty synthetic lubricants for original equipment manufacturers and industrial maintenance suppliers. Used primarily in air compressors and vacuum pumps, its unique premium high-grade oils have many applications, from transportation to gears, hydraulics and industrial food production. Ultrachem is an experienced exporter, with shipments to at least 32 different countries. For three decades, Ultrachem has sold lubricants to customers in many sectors across Canada, making Canada its longest tenured and most significant export destination — just another example of how Delaware companies benefit from a strong partnership with Canadian customers.

Miles Scientific exports to Canada

Since 1961, Newark-based Miles Scientific Corporation has been manufacturing high- quality chromatography products. The company is now North America’s only manufacturer of thin layer chromatography plates and accessories, which are essential tools for analytical chemistry. Its products are used in diverse areas of application including clinical, forensic, pharmaceutical, and food sciences. The company is heavily engaged in international trade and exports over one-third of its products. Canada is its largest export market and Canadian customers include pharmaceutical and life-science companies along with universities and research institutions.

Delaware exports $725 million in goods to Canada annually
Delaware exports to Canada by industry

• Agriculture: 29%
• Chemicals: 27%
• Equipment & machinery: 15%
• Forest products: 6%
• Minerals & metals: 6%
• Plastics & rubbers: 13%
• Other: 4%

Top Delaware goods exports to Canada

• Fruits & nuts: $157 million
• Pharmaceutical products: $109 million
• Plastics & plastic articles: $91 million
• Wood pulp: $38 million
• Computers: $30 million
• Heating, cooling & refrigeration equipment: $23 million
• Iron & steel alloys & semi-finished products: $21 million
• Soaps, candles & waxes: $18 million
• Inorganic chemicals: $17 million
• Paints, pigments, varnishes, dyestuffs & inks: $16 million

Delaware exports $368 million in services to Canada annually
Top Delaware services exports to Canada

• Financial services: $239 million
• Business services: $53 million
• Travel (including for education): $27 million
• Insurance services: $21 million
• Charges for the use of intellectual property: $14 million

Delaware imports $1.0 billion in goods from Canada annually
Delaware imports from Canada by industry

• Agriculture: 11%
• Chemicals: 4%
• Energy: 42%
• Equipment & machinery: 6%
• Forest products: 4%
• Minerals & metals: 13%
• Plastics & rubbers: 8%
• Transportation: 4%
• Other: 8%

Top Delaware goods imports from Canada

• Crude petroleum: $406 million
• Pearls, gems, precious metals & jewelry: $111 million
• Plastics & plastic articles: $76 million
• Animal meats: $46 million
• Paper & paperboard: $23 million
• Vegetables: $22 million
• Furniture & bedding: $17 million
• Optical, medical & precision instruments: $15 million
• Automobiles: $15 million
• Heating, cooling & refrigeration equipment: $10 million