Another marine 'project' cargo destined for the Alberta oil sands makes its way into the Port of Thunder Bay next week.
After more than a year's worth of planning with Canadian National Railway, another jumbo vessel is arriving in Thunder Bay Nov. 24, carrying reactor modules used in oil sands processing.
The M/V Stella Prima, a heavy-lift jumbo vessel, will nose up to Keefer Terminal complete its month-long voyage from Japan, carrying four reactor modules of 550 tonnes apiece, destined for the oil sands.
It's the second cargo arranged by the Thunder Bay Port Authority and Canadian National Railway to establish an intermodal supply chain to handle equipment, steel products and fabricated components headed to Alberta. Last August, the M/V Daniella, discharged a 450-tonne reactor destined for the Canadian Natural Resources' project in Fort McMurray.
"It's a good start and we're looking to a lot more of this type of equipment coming through," said Port Authority CEO Tim Heney. "Nothing is confirmed, but if we can get up to10 ships a year (in 2009) we'd be pretty happy."
The authority and the City of Thunder Bay are promoting themselves as an emerging intermodal, manufacturing and fabrication hub for the Western Canada oil industry.
Handling the first reactor last summer generated plenty of positive buzz from industry trade publications and mainstream media. "It's put us on the map, no question about it," said Heney.
Handling the reactors are the "showpieces" of what's expected to be more oil sands-related equipment in 2009. Heney wants to see pipe, steel and other processing components head west.
The authority is looking to siphon off Alberta-bound business from U.S. ports in Houston, TX and Duluth, Minn. CN Rail has handled some rail clearance issues between Thunder Bay and Fort Frances by cutting back rock cuts and upgrading bridges to accommodate these massive cargoes.
"We're trying to be a more competitive gateway and with the partnership with CN, you're on one railway all the way there," said Heney.
Thunder Bay has historically been a grain exporting port. But establishing some inbound business will create more backhaul shipping opportunities and build more vessel traffic.
The authority is considering reconfiguring the Keefer Terminal site to create more lay-down space and is scoping out additional waterfront property.
www.portofthunderbay.com
