[David1gray]

Terminal project on target

ANTIGONISH- A representative involved with a proposed terminal project was the guest speaker at a chamber of commerce general meeting last week.
Bradley Gordon, member of the board of directors for Maher Terminals, spoke at the Antigonish Chamber of Commerce AGM and President’s Dinner last Thursday. Among the topics of Gordon’s discussion was the proposed terminal project in Melford.
“We’re going to be giving a general status update, talking a little bit about the industry and where we find ourselves at the project level, vis-à-vis the industry as a whole,” said Gordon.
Mike Uberoi, chief operating and financial officer for the Melford International Terminal Project, said the company is comfortable with its position on all of the aspects of the development. Uberoi said the company is happy with the equity partners making “significant” commitments.
“We’re happy where we are on the rail front,” said Uberoi. “To be honest with you, we are focusing most of our time today on relationships with the ocean carriers to seek our cargo for the facility which will allow us to get in the ground and start construction.”
When asked what sort of news or updates he can share with the public, Uberoi said Maher Melford is dealing with the highest levels of some of the largest ocean carrier companies in the world, noting they are optimistic they will “secure some cargo that will allow us to move ahead with construction.”
As for a timeline, Gordon said the Maher terminal project in British Columbia had a 10 year timetable from inception to completion.
“We certainly don’t expect this project to go on that long but these are major capital expenditures and there is a lot of leg work that gets done before anyone even knows that anything is going on,” Gordon said.
Gordon said the project is a part of a global trade initiative, adding trade into North America is stagnant and has remained so for about four years.
“We think we’re knocking on a couple of really receptive doors right now,” said Gordon. “I can’t tell you a time line and that’s the same message we gave last summer. It’s a process and nobody’s giving up and we’re still committed to bringing this sort of economic engine to the Strait area because we think it makes sense. A lot of steam ship lines think it makes sense. We just need one of them to step across the line with a cheque book as well.”

http://www.porthawkesburyreporter.co...ect-on-target/