Thunder Bay develops niche as project cargo transshipment hub
By WILLIAM HRYB
You wouldn't know it by meeting Tim Heney for the first time. This soft-spoken, mild-mannered port boss is feisty and competitive, and that has helped catapult Thunder Bay on both the national and international shipping scenes. Over the course of the past three seasons, his dogged efforts to transform the Lakehead port into a major project cargo transshipment hub has caught the attention of shippers and receivers worldwide.
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New ACPA chair Heney emphasizes overall competitiveness of Canada's port system
By WILLIAM HRYB
You wouldn't know it by meeting Tim Heney for the first time. This soft-spoken, mild-mannered port boss is feisty and competitive, and that has helped catapult Thunder Bay on both the national and international shipping scenes. Over the course of the past three seasons, his dogged efforts to transform the Lakehead port into a major project cargo transshipment hub has caught the attention of shippers and receivers worldwide.
With those credentials under his belt, the Association of Canadian Port Authorities announced Mr. Heney's election as its new chairman this summer. Founded in 1958 as the Canadian Port and Harbour Association, the ACPA is a non-profit and independent organization representing Canadian port authorities, marine sector companies and various government agencies.
With Mr. Heney spearheading efforts with CN Rail, the Port of Thunder Bay has developed a competitive Canadian routing option for huge cargoes destined for Western Canada. Partnering with CN has proven to be a perfect fit as rail upgrades now permit large, heavy equipment to reach the heart of the oilsands through a 2,400-kilometre corridor from the head of the St. Lawrence Seaway System at Thunder Bay.
Not only is equipment for the oilsands being handled through the port, dimensional cargo such as wind turbines is making its way west to areas such as British Columbia. Just this year, five shiploads of oilsands and wind turbine equipment have been successfully discharged and moved out west to various receivers.
''We are certainly becoming recognized by a lot of international interests that we can handle this type of cargo efficiently with optimum cost effectiveness,'' said Vasko Popovic, manager of Logistec Stevedoring in Thunder Bay.
The resurgence in oilsands development in Alberta and demand for wind energy equipment is making the Lakehead port a major staging centre for the huge energy sector. ''With the downturn in traditional export shipments such as grain, these developments are very welcome for us,'' Mr. Popovic said.
As he took the helm as the newly minted chairman of the ACPA at the group's 51st annual meeting in Prince Rupert, B.C., in August, Mr. Heney confidently said, ''The ACPA has always advocated for a strong National Ports System and it is clear that the current economic downturn presents an opportunity for Canada's ports and their respective partners to invest in infrastructure and technology to be ready when global trade begins trending upwards.''
Mr. Heney reiterated that Canada depends on trade for more than 40 per cent of its GDP and that without the necessary land links to crucial supply chains, Canada will not be able to manage world trade and commerce over the long term. He reminded the association that more than 90 per cent of Canada's international trade, other than with the United States, moves through the marine sector. The ACPA has something to cheer about as the federal government has announced funding of important port-related projects across the country, with more announcements expected.
Mr. Heney's enthusiasm and zeal for competition will assist him in his national role as ACPA chair. The association's mandate is to work on a number of important issues such as infrastructure, environmental sustainability, monitoring specific legislation and regulation, as well as technology and innovation.
''The association continues to bring the entire marine community together and help unify the marine agenda for the benefit of all Canadians,'' Mr. Heney said.
With emphasis on the overall competiveness of Canada's port community, and successes at his own port in Thunder Bay, Mr. Heney has definitely found his niche.
Source: Canadian Sailings, November 23, 2009