24/7 operations a go at Ontario port after navigational upgrades

Enhanced navigational lighting and a suite of other upgrades have transformed the Port of Oshawa into a 24/7 operation with less waiting, faster cargo moves, and a supply chain that’s “more responsive than ever.”

“This is a game-changer for our operations,” said Vicki Gruber, the Harbour Master of the Hamilton Oshawa Port Authority (HOPA). “Welcoming vessels at night greatly increases flexibility for port users and reflects the results of strong industry collaboration.”

Vessels can now access the Port of Oshawa at all hours, giving shipping agents and lines, and local industries the flexibility they’ve been asking for, she added.

Mariners, shipping agents, shipping lines, and industry partners have been at the centre of the upgrades as HOPA Ports address challenges in nighttime navigation – a top priority voiced by port tenants and marine stakeholders, Gruber noted.

Those upgrades included enhanced navigational lighting, dredging the navigational channel to maintain seaway depth and allow larger ships to pass through unobstructed, and comprehensive repairs to both wharfs, extending their reliability for shippers and cargo handlers.

HOPA worked closely with the Canadian Coast Guard on the changes and all channel markers are now equipped with flashing lights, a requirement of marine stakeholders, including the St. Lawrence Seaway Pilot Association and the Great Lakes Pilotage Authority, to ensure safer navigation after dark.

These advancements reflect HOPA’s ongoing commitment to serving the marine, shipping, industrial, and trade communities, Gruber said. “Reliable, efficient, and safe port operations are vital to the economic vibrancy of the regions and communities we support.”

As an integrated port network, HOPA Ports offers innovative port and marine assets in Hamilton, Niagara and Oshawa.