VESSELOPENS OCEAN SHIPPING SEASON AT CANADA’S FURTHESTINLAND PORT

Bay Shipping offered remarks as the vessel’s local agent. Canon Ed Swayze of the local Mission to Seafarers chapter provided a Seafarers’blessing. The Federal Dart will sail for the United Kingdom on Sunday

Tim Heney, CEO Port of ThunderBay

“The ocean ships are special to us. The Seaway was really built to bring ocean ships to Thunder Bay, the centre of the county being the farthest inland port. Bringing a ship this size all this way it is kind of a magic thing. Every year you can reflect on the system and its capabilities. The salt ships represent 30 to 35 % of our outbound freight but most of the inbound from Europe.”

“ Our start this year is not the earliest but certainly not the latest.We have had the latest in 2014 in May when we had all the ice.”

“ Most of the steel drops are near Chicago for the auto industry and they take back grain from Thunder Bay. This ship is actually owned by a Canadian family in Montreal but registered in Turkey.”

“ Our season looks strong with wheat. We expect 400 ships and about 150 will be saltwater vessels. The Port is the biggest industrial tax base and provides about 900 direct jobs to the city.”

Captain Anuvarat Arora

“ Iam really excited about being first salt water ship. We came from Turkey to Duluth first to discharge cement and then to Thunder Bay. We will load wheat here for the United Kingdom.”

“ It was a 25 day journey. The conditions were good here with only a few rough conditions in the Atlantic ocean. From Duluth to Thunder Bay we faced a snow storm in the night. The ship is like a home away from home for all of us.We have a staff of 22.”