Port Summerside's new CEO aims to boost traffic, take in more cargo

The new CEO of Port Summerside says it's full steam ahead for the western P.E.I. cargo hub and tourism destination.

Mitch Shea recently took over the position after spending about a year as the port's harbourmaster and wharfinger.

Now that a two-year, $4.5-million rehabilitation to the west berth is complete, extending its lifespan by as much as 25 years, Shea said the port is ready for both rising sea levels due to climate change and potential future growth.

"That gives us a lot of comfort and it also helps us plan for the future and what we might be able to bring alongside the port on that west berth," he said.

"We've got a beautiful infrastructure, and there's plenty of projects that we are looking forward to in the future. The marine industry itself is growing immensely, and I did see opportunity for growth there as well."

Mitch Shea, the new CEO of Port Summerside, hopes to expand its cargo traffic now that a multimillion-dollar upgrade to the port's west berth is complete. (Submitted)

Port Summerside is a hub for fertilizer shipments, playing a pivotal role in getting the product to farmers in P.E.I., Nova Scotia, New Brunswick and Maine.

Aggregate material such as gravel, limestone and sand is also shipped into the port before being distributed to both local and regional construction companies.

"We play a very important role as an economic driver for Summerside and the surrounding area, but we also have played an important role in the wind energy sector in P.E.I., having two shipments of wind [turbine] blades come into port last year," Shea said.

"We hope to continue seeing this type of cargo coming into Summerside in the future."

He said the port typically sees about 12 to 15 cargo vessels over the six warmest months of the year, while its 5,000-square-metre warehouse allows for storage during those months of operation.

'To grow year-round vessel traffic down here would be the ultimate goal,' says new Port Summerside CEO Mitch Shea. (Submitted)

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Shea said the aim is to increase vessel traffic and potentially begin taking in other types of cargo.

"To grow year-round vessel traffic down here would be the ultimate goal," Shea said.

"For our customers, many of them take the cargo off the ship and it goes directly into storage for six to seven months of the year. That's another opportunity for us … to grow storage down here … to 12 months a year so we maintain that growth moving forward."

Wouldn't close the door on cruise ships

Summerside's port corporation also owns Spinnakers' Landing, the model fishing village that sits just down the waterfront from the port. The shops and restaurants along the Spinnakers' boardwalk are a popular tourism attraction in the summer months.

Spinnakers’ Landing, which is owned by the Summerside Port Corporation, remains a draw for visitors to the city with its shops and restaurants. (Spinnakers' Landing)

With Shea's goal of expanding traffic, he said it's not out of the question to consider cruise ships docking at the port again some day.

"We'd never close the door on that. It's another revenue generator and another business opportunity for us," he said.

He called Spinnakers' Landing "a staple down there on the waterfront and it remains near full occupancy for the summer months."