SAINT JOHN – Port Saint John’s CEO says a terminal upgrade is required to accommodate larger vessels that could boost the economy in the region.
Jim Quinn says modern cargo ships are getting bigger and the port has to accommodate their needs.
“Today’s fleet are growing to that point where you are going to need that deeper water to allow them to come into the port and get alongside that dock,” he said.
Quinn said the port would need to be lengthened to handle the increased traffic. It’s a seven-year project that’s expected to create over 1,000 direct and indirect jobs.
Tyler O’Rourke is a port engineer and says the port needs to keep with modern shipping fleets.
“As the world containers grow the port needs to ensure that its facilities can maintain and operate with these huge vessels,” he said.
Pat Riley is the spokesman for the International Longshoremen’s Association and says his members are ready for the work.
“Already our man hours have increased by some 70 per cent in the last four years,” he said. “This project will protect existing jobs and it facilities an increase in jobs. That’s the important thing to remember about this project.”
But the port needs money to make that happen.
It’s submitted a $205 million application to the federal government. The money would be split three ways between the province, port and Ottawa.
“Our objective is to be deeper, stronger and more efficient,” Quinn said.
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