PORT OF HAMILTON FEATURE
October 12, 2009
In the centre of the Eastport lands adjacent to the QEW, Pier 26 has become the new home for Hooper Engineered Vessels International (H.E.V.I.).
Targeting new and unique design and fabrication projects in the pressure vessel industry, H.E.V.I. was created to serve as a fabrication and assembly facility for large vessels that parent company Hooper Welding Enterprises Limited could not traditionally fabricate and readily ship from current facilities located near the QEW in Oakville, Ont.
Recent advances in metallurgical compositions and fabrication techniques have allowed for design and greatly increased demand for larger and heavier shop-fabricated equipment.
With the new facility location, the challenges of road shipment for large and heavy equipment are virtually eliminated with pier-side access for water shipment, and direct rail access to CN thru SOR service (short-line operator Southern Ontario Railway) at newly constructed rail sidings onsite.
With the construction of this new facility, incorporating two fabrication bays with 150-ton crane-lifting capacity in each bay, under crane height clearance in excess of 40 feet, and massive bi-parting doors able to open 30 feet wide by nearly 40 feet high, H.E.V.I. is positioned to encourage new business opportunities in a relatively exclusive sector of the pressure vessel market. Its global focus includes servicing industry sectors such as power, environmental, pulp and paper, chemical, water treatment, petrochemical and oil and gas.
The Hooper site is 197,800 square feet (4.5 acres). The facility, including office space, is approximately 20,000 square feet.
The Hamilton Port Authority invested $270,000 for the supply and installation of rail, hydro, water and sanitary sewer services up to the property line.
Port authority injects more than $3 million into port infrastructure
In the face of the significant economic downturn, the port saw numerous opportunities in 2009 to continue its investment in infrastructure and facility upgrades. More than $3 million has been directed to key projects in developing new services and strategic growth; the new Pier 26 container terminal, a newly paved pad on Pier 22 (3.7 acres) for bulk cargo and warehouse facility upgrades highlight the commitment to building port assets.