THUNDER BAY -- A seaway issue brought to Parliament Hill by a local MP is one of many changes needed in the system, says at least one official from the local port.
Bruce Hyer (Green, Thunder Bay-Superior North) called for changes to pilotage requirements on the Great Lakes Tuesday saying the rules, which have been in place since around 1959, are out-dated and are impeding trade.
Foreign vessels need a pilot from Montreal to Thunder Bay, which can cost a shipping company around $10,000 a day.
"Certainly a review of pilotage as well as many of the other regulations on the seaway is in order," Thunder Bay Port Authority CEO Tim Heney said.
Pilotage is the largest issue hurting the system's ability to compete with rail, along with tolls, Heney added.
"The more competitive you are the greater range of cargo you can attract to the port," he said.
New technology, such as satellite navigation, can help captains who have never piloted the seaway in ways that weren't available when the regulations were written Heney said.
