Connecting customers to local, regional, and global markets
By Lisa Kopochinski
Formed in 1932 by Louis Russell in Vancouver, Washington, Tidewater has grown over the past 91 years to become the largest inland marine transportation company west of the Mississippi River with nearly 400 employees.
When asked about the company’s longevity and success, Tidewater President and CEO Todd Busch says, “We attribute our success to our continued vision of connecting customers to local, regional, and global markets. Our mission is to empower our people to deliver optimal solutions, which, I’m proud to say, they do daily.”
With three terminals in Washington and two in Oregon, Tidewater provides strategic connections for truck, rail, pipeline, and waterborne freight throughout the Pacific Northwest and beyond. Its operating area spans 465 miles on the Columbia and Snake River systems extending from the Port of Astoria, Oregon on the Pacific Coast to the inland Port of Lewiston, Idaho.
With the addition of Tidewater Environmental Services, Inc. the company also offers a comprehensive range of onshore and offshore cleaning and waste transportation services to the marine and industrial business markets. Tidewater Environmental Services include ship cargo hold cleaning, industrial cleaning, hazardous and non-hazardous waste transportation, wet/dry vacuum services, and tank cleaning, throughout Washington, Oregon, Idaho, and parts of California.
Tidewater Canada
Tidewater Canada (TWC), an entity of Tidewater Holdings Inc., is headquartered in Burnaby, B.C. Its Burnaby terminal serves its fleet with an efficient maintenance facility and provides solutions for truck to barge through its roll-on-roll interface. TWC provides diverse marine services to a wide range of industries including bulk fuel transportation, specialty towing, marine logistics, and marine fueling. “Tidewater Canada just commissioned two new harbour tugs — TWC Artemis and TWC Endurance — to refuel and escort ships that are bunkered in and around the Burrard Inlet,” says Scott Hopkins, Tidewater Canada Director of Operations. “Our bunkering and ship dock procedures encompass a comprehensive approach that prioritizes safety, security, and environmental protection.”
Aranud Etchart, Tidewater Subsea General Manager, echoed this statement. “Canada’s commitment to ensuring all households have access to high-speed internet, as well as the maintenance and development of the subsea power grid for the main and remote communities, keeps cable laying companies like Tidewater Subsea busy,” says Etchart. “With its own fleet of vessels, customized equipment, and a highly skilled team of employees, Tidewater Subsea is always ready to take on whatever subsea project comes our way.”
He adds that in order to position Tidewater Subsea as a leader in the industry and create a sustainable pathway for continued success and expansion, “we plan to execute a growth strategy in the next few years that includes diversification of services, technological advancements, talent acquisition and training, strategic partnerships, while keeping a strong focus on quality and sustainability and safety.”
Rebranding and New Tugs
Tidewater Canada President Adrian Samuel recently announced Tidewater’s rebranding and new tugs.
“We are very excited to share the news regarding the recent evolution of our company. At the beginning of this year, we retired the ITB name, including Island Tug and Barge, ITB Subsea and ITB Marine Group, and rebranded the company Tidewater Canada under the new Tidewater Canada logo.”
Samuel says this change represents the strengthening integration of the Canadian enterprise with its U.S. group of companies and will allow Tidewater Canada to present itself to the market under a unified brand.
“The Tidewater brand symbolizes the most trusted marine connection to local, regional, and global markets. Our commitment to operate best-in-class with the highest attention to safety and quality will continue to be the forefront of our brand integrity.”
Challenges and the Future
The biggest challenge the company is currently facing it is the maritime industry’s labour shortages.
“A potential solution addressing the shortages is raising awareness about the benefits and opportunities in the maritime sector,” says Samuel. “Tidewater Canada is devoted to building a culture around prioritizing our employees. This means safety is above and beyond in everything we do. We support a workplace that empowers employees, promotes diversity, and compensates appreciably. We strive to be the employer of choice when new mariners enter the industry.”
Samuel says the company’s goal for the next few years is to continue leading the way in quality, compliance, and safety in barging refined products in Canada.
“We also aim to put our high level of expertise, coordination, and professionalism to work as a premier ship docking and escort company in one of Canada’s busiest and most significant port areas.”
