Studies show year-round shipping potential from Manitoba’s Port of Churchill

Manitoba's premier stated that new studies demonstrating the potential for year-round shipping from the Port of Churchill strengthen the argument for expanding the Arctic deep-sea port. "This breakthrough means we can stop asking if year-round shipping from Churchill is possible," Premier Wab Kinew said.

Kinew believes these studies address a critical concern for shippers and will be instrumental in attracting investment. "Now is the time for industry, investors and governments in Canada and around the world to invest in Churchill," he urged.

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This breakthrough means we can stop asking if year-round shipping from Churchill is possible.

The research indicates that advancements in marine technology, coupled with shrinking sea ice caused by climate change, could significantly extend shipping operations beyond the current four-month window. Studies suggest that icebreakers costing between $100 million and $410 million could navigate the waterways year-round. Additionally, properly designed bulk carriers, estimated between $60 million and $70 million, could operate for nine to ten months annually under most conditions.

The studies, conducted by the University of Manitoba, Fednav Ltd., and the Arctic Research Foundation, received funding from the Manitoba and federal governments, as well as the Indigenous-owned Arctic Gateway Group, which owns the port. The port has recently resumed shipping grain after a six-year hiatus, alongside limited shipments of zinc and potash. While the port is considered a transformative strategy, it was not among the first projects fast-tracked by the federal government.

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Now is the time for industry, investors and governments in Canada and around the world to invest in Churchill.