Promising signs of successful season for Port Authority

THUNDER BAY -- Officials at the Thunder Bay Port Authority say even though September was slower than last year for cargo shipments, it's still shaping up to be a banner year for the local harbour. 

More than 4.6 million metric tonnes of grain and 1.2 tonnes of other cargo has made its way through the local port since the start of the year.

That's 10 per cent above last year's pace and 16 per cent above the 10-year average. 

Grain shipments were down about 20 per cent in September, compared to the same month last year.

But Port Authority CEO Tim Heney says general cargo was higher than normal, with wind turbines and structural steel arriving at the port.

There's also an unusual sight at Keefer Terminal. There are components for a 155-room hotel built in Poland, which are being shipped to Calgary.

“It’s for a hotel in Calgary. The first three floors are built conventionally and these are stacked on top of each other for the next 10 floors,” Heney said.

“Each one of them is a hotel room complete and you just set it up and assemble it.”

Heney said some of the rooms are already being hauled to Calgary.

So far, 260 vessels have entered the port this year, including 68 coming from, or heading overseas.

(TBT News)