Thunder Bay Shipyard Misses Key Repair Opportunity
The Thunder Bay shipyard faced a setback when the damaged lake carrier Michipicoten was sent to a Wisconsin port for repairs instead of being fixed locally. The 689-foot vessel, which suffered a significant hull breach while transporting iron ore pellets, was temporarily patched before its owner, Lower Lakes Towing, opted for repairs at Fraser Shipyards in Superior, Wisconsin. Ontario Shipyards, located in Thunder Bay, expressed disappointment over losing the opportunity to repair the vessel, despite having presented a competitive solution.
Ontario Shipyards Seeks Future Opportunities
Ted Kirkpatrick, the director of business development and government relations for Ontario Shipyards, confirmed that the company had actively pursued the repair job for the Michipicoten. “We provided them with a solution. They chose to go somewhere else,” he stated, emphasizing that the decision was ultimately up to the vessel’s owners. Lower Lakes Towing has not commented on the situation since the incident occurred last summer.
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As of now, the Michipicoten remains at the U.S. shipyard, while Ontario Shipyards continues to seek work. The facility, which was idled early last year, recently completed repairs on another vessel, the Federal Yoshino, which had sustained damage in the Kam River. Kirkpatrick noted that the successful turnaround on the Federal Yoshino demonstrates the shipyard’s capacity to handle complex projects efficiently.
Despite a reduced workforce, Kirkpatrick reassured that Ontario Shipyards remains operational and ready for future contracts. “We are actively looking for more work,” he said, highlighting the shipyard’s commitment to revitalizing its operations and supporting the local economy.
