THUNDER BAY — The Thunder Bay Port Authority had an exciting and prosperous year.
Chris Heikkinen, chief executive officer for the Port of Thunder Bay, told Newswatch the port “was really firing on all cylinders” in 2024.
“We had really strong shipments of your typical export cargoes of grain and potash and some other dry bulk commodities and also really strong on the import side as well,” Heikkinen said.
“We had good steel levels and good phosphate fertilizer shipments inbound and some interesting cargoes dabbled in there, so, all in all, it's been a really good season."
He highlighted one interesting challenge with a positive outcome in 2024.
Back in June, the laker vessel, the Michipicoten, took on water in the middle of Lake Superior. It was carrying iron ore pellets from Two Harbors, Minn. to Algoma Steel in Sault Ste. Marie.
The ship limped into the port’s Keefer Terminal where it could be examined. Divers found a four-metre-long crack during their inspection.
The ship underwent some repairs at the terminal before it departed for Superior, Wisc. where it remains docked until further repair can be completed.
“That was a really interesting challenge that really demonstrated how the industry can come together when there's an emergency situation,” Heikkinen said.
He noted that the warmer weather has been beneficial as the port moves into the final two weeks of the season because they “don't need to call in an icebreaker to get the vessels in and out of port.”
However, Heikkinen also added that there is some concern that no ice has formed on Lake Superior.
“We typically do like to see some ice cover on the Great Lakes over the winter because it does help prevent evaporation and evaporation can lead to lower water levels, which can lead to lower volumes being able to be loaded into the ships for draft restrictions,” he said.
“That being said, I do see that the weather is looking like it's supposed to be getting a little bit colder later this week, so we're optimistic that the ice will come at the right time."
Heikkinen said the last vessel will depart Thunder Bay a few days before the Soo Locks close on Jan. 15.
“It's going to be a good push towards the end of the season. We have about a dozen more ships to come and go before that date, which is a really solid number for the first couple of weeks of January,” he said.
Looking forward into 2025, Heikkinen said he is optimistic that the port will continue to do substantial business, and even some new business.
“There was a good haul of grain harvest this fall and that always carries over into the spring. So, we're looking forward to some good shipments continuing in the spring. I think we'll have a good steel program going, and we're really hoping to get some wind cargo at Kiefer Terminal,” Heikkinen said.
“We've been answering a lot of inquiries around wind farms being developed out west and Thunder Bay being the furthest inland port in Canada. It just makes perfect sense to get those big long-wind cargoes as far inland as you can without having to take them on land."
