Still operating under Port Harmon Authority Ltd., Keeping said the change was necessary to differentiate from Little Port Harmon and to geographically indicate where the port is located, which is in the Town of Stephenville.
She said almost every port in the world is called after the town or city where it is located and with the Ernest Harmon Air Force Base now closed since the end of 1966 it’s time for the change.
Keeping said the Port of Stephenville is fairly busy with activity; however, a lot of it is on a seasonal basis.
She said Harmon Marine, through Montship, operates a tug service out of the Port of Stephenville.
Last year Port Harmon Authority Ltd. took on a contract by leasing a commercial building from the Town of Stephenville and subletting to ABB/Deugro who are doing work on the transmission line extending from Granite Canal to Bottom Brook and on to Cape Ray.
She said because of this contract and fishery related activity they were able to extend their workforce from one employee to 10.
Adjoining the port is 380 acres of industrial park, made up of the former Abitibi industrial site and is called the Indian Head Industrial Park, which is complete with water hydrants, full service and is a fenced-in secure area.
The company is now in the process of taking down some buildings on the site which are no longer useable and working towards strong economic development opportunities at the port and adjoining industrial park.
A grand opening of the Port of Stephenville is taking place on Sunday starting with a ribbon cutting at 10 a.m. and an open house taking place to 2 p.m., which is open to the public.
Keeping said an announcement on a new economic development initiative related to the property is expected to take place later in the fall.
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Port of Stephenville facts:
- Ice free deep water port.
- 7,500 sq. m of asphalt paved dock area.
- 100,000 sq. ft. state-of-the-art industrial warehouse.
- 388 acre industrial park.
- International Ship and Port Facility Security Certified Commercial Port.
- Long Term Berthage.
- Used by Irving Oil for asphalt storage.
- Used by Newco for metal shipping.
- Used for calcium chloride shipping.
- Crab and shrimp fishing by Quincy’s, Notre Dame Fisheries and Barry’s Group.
- Used for road salt shipment.
Source: Port Harmon Authority Ltd.
