THUNDER BAY — A winter storm has delayed the arrival of Captain Henry Jackman, the first cargo ship of the season, from crossing the breakwall into the Thunder Bay Harbour.
The storm, also called the Alberta Clipper, rolled into the region on Sunday and is expected to continue through to Monday.
Environment Canada predicted the storm will bring between 15 and 25 centimetres of snow as it rolls through the region.
“We’ve got heavy snow falling and pretty swift winds and that is creating some visibility issues within the harbour,” said Chris Heikkinen, the CEO of the Port of Thunder Bay.
“Therefore, the icebreaker is going to be taking a little pause because they want to be safe in the work that they do.”
The Canadian Coast Guard icebreaker Samuel Risley arrived in the port early Sunday.
Its arrival followed the opening of the Soo Locks four days earlier than anticipated on Friday morning, enabling ships to pass through as early as Friday and Saturday, which was a few days ahead of schedule.
“She’s working hard to break the channels within the breakwall to ensure that the vessel can make its way safely to berth and also to ensure that the vessels that wintered in Thunder Bay can shift to berth to begin loading,” said Heikkinen.
Now, he said chances are the icebreaking asset will be back at it on Monday.
“With the clear weather, you’ll probably see the ship crossing through that breakwall, hopefully sometime on Monday, but you can never be 100 per cent sure,” said Heikkinen.
In the meantime, he explained that the Risley would be sheltering from the storm in the harbour.
The other anticipated vessel will also be anchored safely outside the breakwall.
He said that’s a good place for them to be while they wait out the storm.
“She’s already arrived and is just waiting outside of the harbour until the channel is clear and she is coming to Thunder Bay to load with Canadian grain,” said Heikkinen.
Initially, he estimated that it’ll likely take the Henry Jackman a couple of days to take on their first load of grain this season before they head to the St. Lawrence River.
He also originally said the icebreaker would probably be in the harbour for a day or more.
Still, Heikkinen said they’re expecting much of the same this season.
“We had a really strong shipping season for 2024,” said Heikkinen.
“It was our best shipping season in a couple of decades and all signs are pointing to another strong shipping season, especially for our sort of mainstay cargoes, which are the products that come out of Western Canada. So the grain products like canola and wheat and then, of course, potash.”
However, he added that one important thing to note, especially now with the icebreaker doing its work, is that the ice conditions in the harbour are "really unpredictable."
“I would just urge everyone to stay off the ice. It’s not a safe place to be,” said Heikkinen.
The Top Hat ceremony, which was expected to take place tomorrow, was also postponed due to the current weather.
