THUNDER BAY – The local port is hoping a boost from the provincial government will allow it to ride the recent revival of the local shipping industry into the long-term future.
Through the Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corporation, the Thunder Bay Port Authority is receiving $1 million to enhance dock-side operations and build a new cargo storage facility at Keefer Terminal.
Port authority CEO Tim Heney said the new capital projects are important to ensuring the resurgence of industry, where in recent years the port has posted some of its strongest shipping seasons in the past two decades, continues into the future.
“It helps to attract business to Thunder Bay. Our main initiative is to build and diversify that marine cargo and bring that business and development through Thunder Bay,” he said.
“Certainly these new assets put you on the map. They show people you’re serious and it provides something for the future.”
In 2015 the port handled 8.9 million metric tonnes, making the year the third-busiest shipping season since 2000. There were also 15 special cargo shipments, which included steel and mining equipment.
Most of the infrastructure at Keefer Terminal dates back more than 50 years, which Heney said makes it time for some renewal.
“The buildings were built for seasonal use back at the opening of the seaway. Today we’re using the facility year-round and we need heated facilitates,” Heney said.
“In order to diversify the use of the terminal we need new buildings. We need to have an attraction to the port both for storing cargo heading to Western Canada but also for manufacturing.”
In addition to the new 40,000 square foot facility, the project also includes the demolition of an old obsolete building that will change the configuration of the port to make operations more efficient.
MPP Michael Gravelle (Lib., Thunder Bay-Superior North), who is also chair of the NOHFC, said the port plays a strong role in the financial well-being of the region.
Between generating $85 million in economic impact for the city and employing 880 people directly involved in the shipping industry, it’s important to ensure the port remains competitive.
“There’s a long history of the port of Thunder Bay at the head of Lake Superior being an important point for the shipment of all kinds of cargo and goods,” Gravelle said.
“I’m certainly of an age where I’ve grown up looking at Lake Superior and the lakers and ships coming through and viewing that as a barometer of our economic success. There have been some challenges over the years but what we’re seeing with the port of Thunder Bay is they’re focused entirely on building their operations, building capacity at the port.”
This is the second time in the past five years the port has received a significant investment from the province. In 2011 the port was given $1 million from the NOHFC for a crane capable of lifting up to 104 tonnes of cargo.
Coun. Iain Angus said the port has historically been one of the bases for the city and he views it as one of the three main pillars of the economy.
“When it does well the community does well,” Angus said. “It’s not just the big visibility things people see like the grain ships, that’s important, but the kind of expansion the port authority has done around Keefer Terminal for the large handling items has been very important.”
Heney said the total project is expected to cost more than $7 million with construction expected to start in the fall and completion scheduled for 2018.
