April 20, 2015 – The Port of Oshawa officially welcomed the first international vessel, M/V Marbacan, at a special Top Hat ceremony on April 20, kicking off a new shipping season, and what is expected to be a pivotal year for the port.
“With a new $2.5 million cargo pad and new multi-million dollar rail spur set to open this spring, the port is well positioned to serve current customers and new businesses like never before,” said Donna Taylor, President and CEO of the Oshawa Port Authority. “These investments in port expansion support our local companies and benefit the entire region.”
Taylor presented Captain Sergii Prokopenko, Master of the M/V Marbacan, with the traditional top hat during a special ceremony. M/V Marbacan arrived from Portugal to offload more than 17 thousand metric tonnes of steel rebar to be used in building construction in Durham Region and the GTA. Her next port of call will be Thunder Bay. Pictured, left to right, Gary Valcour, Chair of the Oshawa Port Authority, Captain Sergii Prokopenko and Donna Taylor. In 2014, the Port of Oshawa handled 42 vessels, carrying over 357 thousand metric tonnes of bulk cargo. That exceeds the previous year’s cargo total by approximately 66 thousand metric tonnes. Steel is the port’s leading cargo, with 167,000 metric tonnes imported through the port, up significantly from over 94,000 metric tonnes in 2013.
“Last year was a year of growth and expansion for the port, and it’s already paying off, ” said Gary Valcour, Chair of the Oshawa Port Authority. “This season is just getting started, and we’ve succeeded in attracting new customers and creating new jobs.”
Each year, the port handles an average of $23 million worth of cargo, from asphalt and steel to grain. The Port of Oshawa generates close to $6 million annually in federal and provincial taxes. It’s revenue that goes back into the local and regional economy.
About M/V Marbacan
The time charter owner of M/V Marbacan is Messrs Brochart KB. The general ship agent is Colley Motorships Ltd attended by sub-agent Currie Maritime Corporation. Oshawa Stevedoring and Local 1997 of the International Longshoremen’s Association are discharging the cargo.
About the Oshawa Port Authority
The Oshawa Port Authority was established by Letters Patent issued on January 25th, 2012 pursuant to the Canada Marine Act. The OPA operates the Port of Oshawa and manages the associated harbour lands that are owned by the Crown. Visit: www.portofoshawa.ca.
