What began in the 1980s with a single welding machine and a pickup truck has evolved into one of Ontario’s most significant marine enterprises.
Ontario Shipyards, formerly Heddle Marine, is breathing new life into Canada’s shipbuilding industry—especially in the Niagara region.
President Shaun Padulo, who joined the company in 2017, described the transformation that began when the company took over the long-dormant Port Weller Dry Docks. Once in receivership and abandoned, the site has since undergone a $10 million revitalization—double the original investment commitment. Today, Port Weller employs around 140 people directly, with dozens more subcontractors contributing to major projects.
One such project is the $100 million life extension of the Terry Fox, a Canadian Coast Guard icebreaker. Impressively, over 70% of that investment is being spent on local suppliers and specialists. From machine shops in St. Catharines to steelworkers across Niagara, the ripple effect is wide-reaching.
“We’re in the industrial heartland,” Padulo said. “Why not build using the talent already here?”
Ontario Shipyards’ growth aligns with Canada’s National Shipbuilding Strategy, the largest procurement initiative in the nation’s history. Padulo sees Port Weller as a prime candidate to take on future Coast Guard and Navy builds, given its unique infrastructure and legacy of constructing large vessels.
Beyond economic impact, Padulo emphasized the industry’s hidden presence in everyday life—from the road salt spread each winter to the raw materials that build our cities, all transported through the Great Lakes.
“It’s a great industry,” Padulo said. “And we’re just getting started.”
(Written by: Matt Latour)