Repairs boost economy
Activity picks up at new marine services location at Sydport
Dockside of Sydport is a hive of activity these days as employees of a marine services company that’s new to the area ‘de-mobilize’ a barge that made its way to Cape Breton from the Hebron offshore oil project off Newfoundland and Labrador.
The job is among those in recent months that have allowed the Heddle Marine Services Cape Breton workforce to swell to more than 25 employees.
“Certainly there’s an opportunity in the market where the east coast is growing in offshore oil and gas and, on the shipping side of it, there’s a big place for repair,” said Mike Moore, Heddle’s regional manager for commercial interests.
“There’s a need in the market so certainly we will continue to grow.”
The company specializes in full fabrication, mechanical, machining, electrical and hydraulic support service to offshore and onshore oil and gas clients.
Services to industrial facilities and all types of vessels in the marine industry are provided, as well.
Its founding facility is in Hamilton, Ont. and Heddle has locations across Ontario, New
Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador and Nova Scotia.
The Sydport location was set up less than a year ago and is part of the parent company’s intent to grow the marine service industry in Atlantic Canada.
“Halifax harbour is doing great things and growing,” said Moore.
“St. John’s harbour is busy and Saint John, New Brunswick
is doing excellent, so I think Sydney is just going to follow that trend and continue to grow.”
Locally, that has meant jobs at Sydport for local labourers, welders, fitters and power engineers from what Moore described as an excellent labour pool in Cape Breton.
The current workforce also includes eight from Cape Breton’s First Nation communities
through a partnership with the Mi’Kmaw Economic Benefits Office.
“We see our harbour, Sydney Harbour, as one of our greatest economic
assets, which has the potential to create great opportunities,” said Owen Fitzgerald, the director of industry and government engagement for the benefits office.
“Heddle Marine is recognizing this opportunity and we are seeing the results and it is great to see local Aboriginals participating and working with Heddle Marine.”
Moore described Heddle’s relationship with Cape Breton’s Aboriginal communities as close and said some of their best workers have come from the related partnership.
He also noted excellent leadership from local port authorities and other businesses along the water in the Cape Breton Regional Municipality. It’s all lending hope to continued growth of the business and the port.
“We are a growing business,” he said. “We are a busy location and with proper strategic planning and execution we will continue to have an upward trend.”