The first international ocean-going vessel, BBC Kolding, arrived at the newly developed Midcontinent Terminal on Sunday, carrying four complete wind turbines destined for Saskatchewan.
The ship is the second vessel to arrive at the Thunder Bay terminal after the partial demolition and repurposing of the iron ore dock trestle and is the first of seven vessels scheduled to arrive this year. The first vessel to arrive at the terminal was the domestic vessel Kathy McKeil, which arrived in May carrying components for a local hydroelectric dam project.
Matej Rodela, Midcontinent Terminal’s director of operations and project manager, said this marks the first shipment of wind turbine components to move through the Port of Thunder Bay in several years. He said developing the property into a “proper transportation” terminal was the vision of company owner Pierre Gagne.
“We started step by step, beginning Jan. 17, and we were done and ready for vessels by May 30,” he said.
Part of the demolition of a section of the trestle included building a ramp for trucks to access the dock, Rodela said. They improved all the existing infrastructure from warehouses to roads, then created an extensive rail yard.
He added that it’s a fully functional terminal now, positioning the terminal for inbound project cargo with the capability of docking both lakers and ocean vessels.
Lanmar Environmental Solution, from Hamilton, was hired to help dismantle the trestle with their specialized high-reach cranes, while all 25 Midcontinent Terminal employees did the rest of the work.
“They did everything else, from moving the rubble, excavating, constructing the ramp, and installing drainage. It was done by our guys,” Rodela said.
“They worked really hard and showed great enthusiasm, commitment and expertise in getting everything done in time, and they’re also the ones doing all the transloading from the ships and rail.”
Meanwhile, Keefer Terminal, which is operated by the Thunder Bay Port Authority, is not in direct competition with the new Midcontinent Terminal, according to Rodela.
“They are supportive of our actions, and we see it as a good thing,” he said. “They have some infrastructure we don’t have, like rail on the dock, but we have a larger laydown area. There’s cargo that will fit both of us, and it’ll enhance the port operations.”
Chris Heikkinen, chief executive officer of the Port of Thunder Bay, congratulated Midcontinent Terminal on the work they have done to enhance their terminal asset and secure additional cargo for the port.
“The work done at Midcontinent demonstrates that the port is open for business and is eager to capitalize on cargo demand into the Canadian Prairies,” Heikkinen said.
He said increasing the volume of inbound cargo to the St. Lawrence Seaway helps to balance trade and provide for more economical shipping for all port users.
Investments like the Midcontinent port in the centre of Canada align well with government priorities.
Rodela said Midcontinent Terminal is capitalizing on the blades coming from China, which he said could have easily landed somewhere in the U.S. before being transported to Saskatchewan.
