The first vessel of the new Port of Algoma in Sault Ste. Marie arrived Nov. 4 to unload 13,500 tons of road salt.
Formerly operated by Essar Steel Algoma as its Great Lakes export dock, the 1,000-acre property on the St. Mary’s River is in the hands of the new port authority, a subsidiary company of Essar Ports Global Holdings and is completely independent from the nearby steel works.
Through a joint agreement with the City of Sault Ste. Marie and its economic development corporation (SSMEDC), they’ll be looking to drum up business from across northeastern Ontario.
That could come in the form of wood fibre, mineral, raw material or other freight that’s normally been shipped by transport truck.
Major construction at the port is planned for 2016 to replace and upgrade the antiquated docks. A study is due out this fall showing supply chain patterns and identifying potential industrial development opportunities to attract more marine traffic.
“Due to the community’s strategic location, there’s considerable opportunity for businesses and the region in general to capitalize for this transportation initiative,” said Port of Algoma CEO Anshumali Dwivedi in a Nov. 5 news release. “This is a resource-rich region and, with the port now open for public use, the possibilities are endless.
“We are pleased to see this transportation infrastructure project move forward,” said Dan Hollingsworth, SSMEDC’s executive director of business development. “The redevelopment and outreach is leading to new cargos and customers for the Port of Algoma. The planned enhancement at the port will provide needed infrastructure to ensure cost-efficient shipping alternatives for industrial growth in the region.”
