Port of Thunder Bay Ready For A Good Year
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Port of Thunder Bay Ready For

Port of Thunder Bay Ready For A Good Year

 

by Scott A. Sumner

   The Port of Thunder Bay has experience some good growth recently and hope the trend will continue.  There have been some interesting changes on the seaway with the Wheat Board last August, as well as 15 new Canadian ships coming into service this year.

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  “ The Wheat Board change saw quite a boost of wheat shipments last fall. This was because the grain companies have control over when they sell their product and it our biggest commodity. It has proven the seaway is a competitive route,” said Tim Heney, CEO of the Thunder Bay Port Authority.” The efficiencies of the Port in Thunder Bay have improved over the years and we are competitive having the biggest grain storage capacity in North America in Thunder Bay. Grain storage is a strategic thing as the farmer can sell his or her grain when they feel the price is right. The storage allows you to hold the grain until the price goes up.”

   “ The government also took the 25% import duty off the importation of ships. When they removed that there were 15 ships built in China at about $40 million a piece. These ships are bulk so they can do grain, potash or coal,” said Heney. “  We have also done well with project cargo and that brings the ships into Thunder Bay and they can then take the grain back. The crane is a big addition and diversifies the port. We spent about $10 million in infrastructure in recent years with money we raised from our operations here. We received $1 million from the provincial government for the crane but the rest of the funds we generated in Thunder Bay.”

   A big hope of the Port of Thunder Bay is to attract some secondary manufacturing. “ You bring things in from Europe and then do some work here and create jobs to make the Port more viable and competitive. We have one building available for this and have 350 acres in the waterfront area,” said Heney. “ The strong trend from the fall we hope will continue. Generally speaking it should be a good year in Thunder Bay. We are also working on a solar project on the roofs  of our buildings and will sell the electricity to the grid.”



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