THUNDER BAY -- The start of the city’s shipping season continues to run into delays.
The Thunder Bay Port Authority expected two ships to arrive into the harbour early Monday, but they have both been bogged down by harsh ice conditions.
The ice in the harbour has caused problems for the Capt. Henry Jackman, which was wintered in the port for repairs and attempted to leave Monday morning.
Its progress came to a halt for much of the early afternoon, thus blocking the channel for the arriving ships.
The two arriving ships, the Algoma Enterprise and Radcliffe R. Latimer, were forced to wait in Lake Superior just south of the Sleeping Giant.
“It’s had some difficulties in the ice,” Port Authority CEO Tim Heney said of the Jackman’s progress.
“The U.S. Coast Guard Alder is out there assisting and it’s making slow progress.”
The Algoma Enterprise, which is arriving from Sault Ste. Marie, is headed to the James Richardson International Elevator to pick up grain.
The delay was not a long one, as the Jackman was able to depart by late afternoon and the Enterprise was able to reach its destination by early evening.
There will also be some reinforcements on the way.
“We have another heavier icebreaker coming into the port so that will assist with some of these ice conditions,” Heney said.
Despite the temporary setback, Heney does not anticipate the delays having any impact on the season.
“There’s a huge amount of grain to move and the elevators are starting to get pretty full in Thunder Bay. Once things open up you’ll see a lot of ships that are backed up starting to show,” he said.
“We’re anticipating a much larger season than last year.”
