Efficiency and Renewal are Key as NMI Improves Freight Handling for Coastal Ports
It was a busy off-season for Nunatsiavut Marine Inc. (NMI), now entering its fifth year as contractor of shoreside services for the coastal marine service. General Manager Gary Latimer and his team spent much of the winter sourcing equipment and containers for shipping freight and cargo to the coast.
“Many of the 20-foot sea cans that we use for transporting general cargo were showing their age,” says Latimer, who spoke to NGC News from Goose Bay, as the Kamutik W was being loaded for the first trips of the season. “We bought 17 of those this year, so that is a very significant improvement.”
The Coastal Marine Service is an essential one for communities in Nunatsiavut. Approximately 15,000 tonnes of freight, including perishable food is shipped during the season, which runs from June to early December. It’s vital that food be stored and shipped properly to avoid spoilage. NMI made new investments this year to enhance that part of the service.
“We have six reefers at the port in Goose Bay to hold perishable food until it can be shipped,” says Latimer. “We purchased three new units this year to replace three of the older ones. We also upgraded the electrical service and that means we can run nine reefers on electrical power, rather than on diesel generators. Those investments allow us to continue to deliver high quality service to the coast.”
NMI carried out other initiatives this year that will improve service to the coast, and, at the same time, bring more efficiency to the loading and unloading process.
