By Christopher Williams
Between June 8 and 10, Port Saint John and its partners hosted a community day, river cruise, golf tournament, export awards, seafood fiesta, business panel session, and a keynote speech by the leader of the Energy East project. The annual event focused on the transportation tenets of “Community, Connections, and Commerce”, but Come Together by the Beatles could have been the event’s theme song.
By Christopher Williams
Ever since I was a little kid, I’ve caught the smiling bearded face of David Black peaking from the cab of one of his chocolate coloured tractor trailers bearing the logo: “Black’s Transfer Ltd. Local and Long Distance”. I’ve seen Dave haul flatbeds, van trailers, containerized cargo and heavy loads around tight corners and through tricky intersections with the ease of someone riding a bike. Later the same day, he would lead a Saint John Board of Trade transportation forum discussion with the same finesse.
By Christopher Williams
Hundreds of people were out early on the mornings of January 19th and February 2nd to witness the largest vehicles to ever drive on a New Brunswick highway. Escorted by police, a 200-foot-long, 19-axle trailer pulled by a transport truck, transported two massive turbine rotors to the Point Lepreau Generating Station (PLGS), 50 kilometers west of Saint John.
By Christopher Williams
Prior to the global recession, Irving Oil Limited planned a new $10-billion refinery, and a second nuclear reactor was touted by the province, but both projects fizzled. However, the energy buzz returned on August 1, with TransCanada Corp. and Irving Oil Limited announcing a $12-billion pipeline from Alberta, and a new marine terminal in Saint John. This time, the proposed projects offer significant economic prospects for the entire country.
By Christopher Williams
“Strengthening North/South Trade Links” was this year’s theme for Saint John Port Days, focusing on connections with Latin America and the Caribbean and strategies to enhance partnerships. Part of the annual event included a meeting with delegates from ten South American firms to discuss trade through the twinned ports of Saint John and Santos, Brazil. Brazilian coffee supplier Coccamp Ltd. confirmed it will set up shop in Canada this summer in either Toronto or Saint John and more opportunities are in the works.
By Christopher Williams
While forestry has sustained the Atlantic Canadian economy for centuries, soft markets for paper, the global recession, the anemic recovery of the past few years, and chronic under-investment in plant and equipment led to painful mill closures and other adjustments in the industry. Efficient transportation and cargo handling to get products to market has never been more instrumental in helping producers remain profitable.
