Logistec’s cargo handling experts have successfully coordinated a short sea shipping project to connect Ontario-made wind power components with renewable energy projects in Atlantic Canada.
The turbine manufacturer ENERCON has been working with a local partner to manufacture concrete tower sections for use at wind power facilities throughout the Niagara region. When the time came to send some of these 24- to 50-metric tonne pieces to Nova Scotia, Logistec went above and beyond stevedoring to coordinate a turnkey short sea shipping solution for our customer.
“We had an opportunity to reduce the number of trucks on the road for this project, which made logistical sense because of the large size and weight of the cargo. But in this case, reducing our carbon footprint was also a key factor,” said Frank Montecalvo, Sales and Marketing Manager (Ontario and Western Canada) at Logistec. “Moving environmentally-friendly wind energy components on the water is a winning combination that limits greenhouse gases throughout the supply chain.”
Logistec worked with Groupe Desgagnés to secure a vessel for the five- to 10-metre long towers, and the M/V Rosaire A. Desgagnés arrived safely in Port Weller on June 7. Logistec loaded this multipurpose heavy lift tweendeck ship with 78 tower sections destined for Sheet Harbour, about 90 minutes northeast of Halifax. Upon arrival, Logistec’s local team in Atlantic Canada will unload and store the pieces until regional construction sites are ready to put each turbine in place.
“Short sea shipping benefits shippers and suppliers throughout our industry. We’re proud to be a part of a project that makes the most of Highway H2O and showcases the quality of our terminals along the St. Lawrence Seaway and in the Maritimes,” said Jean-Marc Bélanger, Sales and Marketing Manager (Québec) at Logistec. “Logistec can offer both loading and unloading solutions by drawing on the scope of our network. We’ve done this for similar projects in Québec, and realize how important it is to work seamlessly and have the right partners in place.”