WASHINGTON: Anshumali Dwivedi, chief executive officer of Port of Algoma, and Vince D’Amico, manager, market development of St. Lawrence Seaway Management Corporation, speak on Wednesday. A marine transportation alliance is helping Port of Algoma make business connections and sharpen its planning for expanded facilities to handle more freight at its Sault Ste. Marie base.
The enterprise, owned by Essar Ports Global Holdings, joined Hwy H20 in 2015. More than two dozen other ports belong to the group that was formed 13 years ago. The St. Lawrence River, St. Lawrence Seaway and Great Lakes is a 3,700-kilometre marine corridor between Canada and the United States.
Vince D’Amico, manager of market development for St. Lawrence Seaway Management Corporation, was in the Sault on Tuesday and Wednesday to review the port’s development. SLSMC is a sponsor of Hwy H20. “They’ve got some good prospects,” said D’Amico of Port of Algoma during an interview with The Sault Star at the Civic Centre. “It opens up a new marketplace for trade. For us, it’s a greater awareness, and greater access, to the heartland of North America.”
His not-for-profit corporation is keeping the port updated about raw materials being shipped on the Great Lakes and domestic and international stakeholders in the marine industry. D’Amico also wants to help Port of Algoma “discover opportunities to move cargoes.”
“The Port of Algoma is a fairly (recent) entity and we need to spread the word about the port,” said chief executive officer Anshumali Dwivedi. Most of the contacts Highway H20 has generated are based in North America, including Quebec. One company is based in Europe. About 25% of traffic along the seaway is from Europe, the Middle East and Africa. Port of Algoma is in “fairly advanced talks” with some firms, said Dwivedi. The conversations with potential customers, with shipments including specialized ores, are also helping him and his management team identify improvements to be made at Port of Algoma. There is a need for shore-based cargo handling equipment and storage space.
“It helps us fine-tune our planning much better,” said Dwivedi. “While the discussions are progressing it’s also giving us an insight as to what are the facilities that we need to develop immediately to start handling these cargoes.” A master plan is being developed for the port. Dwivedi will highlight technological developments at Port of Algoma when he speaks at Hwy H20’s annual conference Nov. 16-17 at Hilton Toronto Airport Hotel and Suites. Such gatherings offer Port of Algoma a chance to reach potential customers – either by attending in person or having Hwy H20 display promotional material on its behalf.
“They help us multiply our forces,” said Dwivedi. “That does give us the visibility through their infrastructure.” D’Amico’s 21 years with Canadian Pacific Railway, especially seven years as a senior account manager of resource products, makes him aware of rail lines at Essar Steel Algoma to help ship goods to and from Port of Algoma.
“It’s not a singular entity that will make it thrive,” he said. “You would need all kinds of transportation to service the site and work collectively together in order to maximize the potential of the facility.” “Vince’s railway background did help us have a much more meaningful conversation and get his insights,” said Dwivedi. Environment and First Nation consultations continue as part of the port’s master plan that will see the site expand beyond just serving Essar Steel Algoma. Dwivedi is holding off on seeking government support to develop the port until a new owner is found for the steel mill. “We wouldn’t want to make a funding application right now until we figure out what’s happening with the steel plant,” he said.
