PRINCE RUPERT VOL. 9 NO. 43
Wednesday, October 22, 2014
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High drama off coast Stricken Russian ship safely towed to Rupert
Feature Heart of our City: Jasper Nolos Page A5
BY MARTINA PERRY PRINCE RUPERT / The Northern View
The 135-metre Russian vessel Simushir finally found a port in the storm in Prince Rupert early Monday after a dramatic three days that threatened Haida Gwaii and the North Coast with a potentially devastating environmental disaster. The Simushir, loaded with 450 tonnes of Bunker C fuel and diesel oil, was sailing from Washington back to Russia at approximately 1:30 a.m. on Oct. 17 when a defective oil - Peter Lantin cooling pump caused the vessel’s engines to lose power 12 nautical miles northwest of Gowgaia Bay, off Moresby Island. “The Haida Nation’s worst fear is coming true,” Peter Lantin, president of the Haida Nation, stated when they issued an emergency declaration on Friday morning. See SIMUSHIR on Page A2
“The Haida Nation’s worst fear is coming true.”
Business Wilson promotes partnerships Page A9
Photo courtesy of the Prince Rupert Port Authority
The Russian vessel Simushir reached the safety of Prince Rupert Harbour early Monday morning after a harrowing three days at sea that raised fears the fuel and oil-laden ship would run aground off Haida Gwaii.
Agreement reached for Canpotex terminal site
Sports Tough weekend for Rampage Page A12
Haida Gwaii Sandspit pitched as pilot community Page B1
No timeline in place for final investment decision BY SHAUN THOMAS PRINCE RUPERT / The Northern View
Canpotex is continuing to move forward with its plans for a potash export terminal on Ridley Island, announcing this week it had signed a lease agreement with the Prince Rupert Port Authority for the site. “The execution of the lease agreement is an interim step in the development of Canpotex’s proposed greenfield potash terminal on Ridley Island,” reads a company statement, noting Canpotex has already invested approximately $50 million into the project, a figure which includes a $15 contribution to the Ridley Island Road, Rail and Utility Corridor. “Canpotex will make a final investment decision to proceed based on a variety of
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727 / 731 2nd Ave West $750,000
“The decision to proceed now rests with Canpotex and its shareholders.” - Michael Gurney commercial factors, including construction costs and offshore potash market projections. No date has been set for making this decision. If a decision is made to proceed, the Potash Export Terminal investment would be approximately $775 million, and would provide Canpotex with three separate gateways and rail corridors to the west coast.” Confirming the agreement was signed
recently, Prince Rupert Port Authority manager of corporate communications Michael Gurney said this is a significant step in the development. “This means all of the commercial agreements between Canpotex and the Prince Rupert Port Authority have been complete ... and signifies the environmental assessment is complete, the certificates have been received and the decision to proceed now rests with Canpotex and its shareholders,” he said, adding the agreement “includes provisions related to how expeditiously Canpotex can reach a final investment decision”. Plans for the terminal call for a 180,000 tonne potash storage building with associated conveyor and dust collection systems and a marine wharf with access trestle and causeway capable of receiving vessels of up to 180,000 dead weight tonnes.
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