Keefer Terminal was conceptualized in 1957 by the Canadian Lakehead Port Association, a cooperative consisting of the provinces of Manitoba, Saskatchewan and Alberta, and the cities of Port Arthur and Fort William. The terminal stands out as a major feature of the Thunder Bay Port, and is an integral part of the regions shipping. It was built to augment existing bulk cargo handling capabilities at the Lakehead with modern facilities for lake vessels carrying package freight for Western Canada, and berthage for ocean going vessels for handling import and export trade. Opening ceremonies for Keefer Terminal took place on June 23, 1962, with distinguished guests including the Honourable Walter Dinsdale, Federal Minister of Northern Affairs and National Resources.

With the transition of package freight movement to the TransCanada Highway in the 1980’s, marine activity decreased at Keefer Terminal.

Since 2004, Port of Thunder Bay has revitalized the terminal as a supply chain gateway for heavy, oversized breakbulk and project cargo. Keefer Terminal’s regular cargoes, primarily destined for Western Canada, include steel products (structural steel, rail, and pipe), windmill components, electrical infrastructure, and bulk phosphate fertilizer.

Capital infrastructure investment of $30 million dollars has modernized Keefer’s cargo handling assets, providing value for shippers utilizing the Great Lakes – St. Lawrence Seaway System.

Keefer Terminal infrastructure summary:

• 750 meters of marine berths directly linked to rail and highway
• Dock aprons are 19.8 meters wide
• Heavy lift railway track runs within 3 meters of the dock face and its wharf bearing capacity is recognized at 64 Kpa
• Keefer’s Liebherr LHM 320 mobile harbour crane is the largest of its kind west of Montreal on the Seaway. It can lift 104 tons at 18 meters’ reach
• Over 55,000 square metres (592,000 square feet) of inside storage space
• 8.1 ha (20.0 acres) of outside storage space
• Rail serviced by CN/CP
• Heated, clear-span buildings capable of handling bulk commodities
• Indoor and dockside rail
• Heavy-lift capabilities