THUNDER BAY

PORT AUTHORITY December 2011Newsletter

www.portofthunderbay.ca

The Port of Thunder Bay generates $370 million in direct busi-

ness revenue annually, according to a recent study by econom-

ic consulting firm Martin Associates. The study’s results are

proof of the economic importance of the Port to the region.

Annual economic impacts of the port include $85 million in

personal income, $60 million in local purchases, and $35 mil-

lion total taxes. 880 jobs are a direct result of vessel activity

and the cargo handled in the Port, while another 920 induced

and indirect jobs are supported by the Port’s activity.

The results of the study were released at Thunder Bay Port

Authority’s Marine Night reception, held November 2. Guest

Speakers at the event were Chamber of Marine Commerce

President Raymond Johnston and Parrish & Heimbecker Vice

President John Heimbecker. Johnston elaborated on the eco-

nomic impact of the Great Lakes—St. Lawrence Seaway during

his presentation, and Heimbecker discussed the issues that

will face Canada’s grain supply chain once the Canadian Wheat

Board’s monopoly is dismantled in August 2012.

The report, The Economic Impacts of the Port of Thunder Bay,

defines the economic impact created by all cargo and vessel

activity at the Port, and is part of a larger study that outlined

the economic impacts generated by marine cargo activity on

the Great Lakes—St. Lawrence Seaway. The report is available

for download at www.portofthunderbay.ca. Further details

can be found at www.marinedelivers.com.

PORT OF THUNDER BAY ECONOMICALLY VITAL

Left: During Thunder Bay Port Authority’s Marine Night, Parrish & Heimbecker Vice President John Heimbecker addressed upcoming

changes in wheat transportation; Centre: Raymond Johnston, President of the Chamber of Marine Commerce reviewed the economic

impact study; Right: Marine Night attendees enjoyed food, refreshments and networking.

December 2011Newsletter THUNDER BAY PORT AUTHORITY

www.portofthunderbay.ca

A variety of project cargo shipments kept

Keefer Terminal busy this fall. Some cargoes

were quickly hauled away to their final desti-

nations, while others remain at the Terminal

for delivery in the spring. Clockwise from the

top, a convoy transporting large industrial

mining equipment destined for Bell Creek Mill

in Timmins left Keefer Terminal at dawn

October 31; the 60-tonne mill units were

offloaded at Keefer Terminal after arriving

from Spain October 28; wind turbine nacelles

were discharged using a specialized heavy-lift

crane November 11; the

nacelles will occupy Keefer’s

laydown storage area until the

spring; wind turbine blades

were transferred directly to

truck at the Terminal Novem-

ber 21; the blades will travel on

the pictured ice road to Diavik

Diamond Mine in Yellowknife

where a new wind farm is being

erected to reduce the mine’s

greenhouse gas emissions.

(Ice road photo courtesy of

the Diavik Diamond Mine.)

MOVIN’ ON...

… STICKIN’ AROUND

Photo Courtesy of the Diavik Diamond Mine

December 2011Newsletter THUNDER BAY PORT AUTHORITY

www.portofthunderbay.ca

CRUISE SHIP MAKES TWO TRIPS TO THUNDER BAY

‘GREEN’ FEDNAV

VESSEL STOPS

IN THE BAY The next generation of Fednav’s ocean-going

fleet has made its first stop in the Port of

Thunder Bay. MV Federal Yukina, delivered

to Fednav from a Japanese shipyard in Octo-

ber 2010, loaded grain in Thunder Bay for

the first time this September.

The Federal Yukina is the first of three sis-

ter ships and fifteen ships in total to be de-

livered to Fednav between 2010 and 2014.

The vessels are more environmentally friend-

ly than their predecessors, burning 15% less

fuel and therefore emitting less carbon diox-

ide. Fednav’s ship orders represent a more-

than $400 million investment by the Canadian

company. Other ‘green’ components of

Fednav’s new fleet are Tier II engines that

emit less nitrogen oxide, more powerful bal-

last pumps, and space to enable the installa-

tion of ballast water treatment equipment in

the future.

The Federal Yukina had a quick turnaround in

Thunder Bay, loading canola at Viterra’s “A”

and “B” elevators and departing for Portugal

October 27. See the next page to learn about

this year’s record canola shipments.

MV Columbus, a cruise ship designed specifically for the Great Lakes—

St. Lawrence Seaway, stopped in Thunder Bay this fall for the first

time since 2007. Columbus called at the City of Thunder Bay’s

Pool 6 Cruise Ship Terminal twice in September, docking for

several hours each time. Passengers had the opportunity to

visit tourist attractions in the area. Some passengers

ventured into the city on bicycles provided by the ship.

The vessel made round-trips through the

Great Lakes, carrying more than 350 passengers

each trip.

Federal Yukina

Loaded Grain at

Viterra’s “A”

Elevator October 24

Canada Steamship Lines (CSL) has doubled its order of new self-unloading

vessels to be used on the Great Lakes—St. Lawrence Seaway. The carrier is

now expecting delivery of a total of four ‘Trillium Class’ vessels between late

2012 and 2013.

Trillium Class vessels, designed specifically for CSL, have Seaway-maximum

dimensions and are significantly more fuel efficient and environmentally

friendly than existing ships in the Seaway fleet.

This brings to 12 the number of new vessels that have been ordered by Cana-

dian carriers operating on the Seaway in the last 12 months. Algoma Central

Corporation has ordered 6 similar, specially designed ‘Equinox Class’ vessels

to be delivered between 2012-2014. Algoma has been contracted to manage

2 additional ‘Equinox Class’ vessels that have been ordered by a third party.

CSL EXERCISES OPTIONS FOR MORE BOATS

THUNDER BAY PORT AUTHORITY

CANOLA SHIPMENTS BOOST GRAIN TONNAGE

www.portofthunderbay.ca

Thunder Bay Port Authority

100 Main Street ● Thunder Bay, ON ● P7B 6R9

T: (807) 345-6400

F: (807) 345-9058

The Port of Thunder Bay hit a milestone in the

month of November with over 1 million tonnes of

cargo shipped through the port during one month

for the first time since May 2009. Tonnages were

bolstered by strong grain shipments. The 891,000

tonnes of grain shipped out of Thunder Bay grain

elevators during November was the most for one

month since May 2002.

Year-to-date grain tonnage this year has already

surpassed the total grain tonnage for the entire

year of 2010, with more than one month still to go

in the shipping season. Types of grain that have had

the greatest boosts in shipments through Thunder

Bay are wheat and canola. There has been a 15%

increase in wheat shipments and a 125% increase

in canola shipments in 2011 versus 2010. Canola

shipments are expected to exceed 1.2 million

tonnes during the 2011 season – a record for canola

shipments in the Port of Thunder Bay.

The Port of Thunder Bay’s cargo statistics are up-

dated monthly by the Thunder Bay Port Authority.

The latest statistics can be found on our website,

www.portofthunderbay.ca.

NOVEMBER CARGO STATISTICS UPDATE

December 2011Newsletter