September 17, 2007
Ministers Recognize Progress By Port Of Churchill On First Shipment To Non-Traditional Market
Infrastructure and Transportation Minister Ron Lemieux and Agriculture, Food and Rural Initiatives Minister Rosann Wowchuk today acknowledged the expanding role of the port of Churchill and its successful efforts to diversify shipments.
“We are making progress in taking advantage of opportunities for new markets for shipping by ocean-going vessels out of the port of Churchill,” said Lemieux. “These new markets will help toward increased use of the northern facility and will support our efforts to continue to further diversify shipments through the port.”
The Kathryn Spirit arrived in Churchill from Montreal over the weekend to take on 12,500 tonnes of red spring wheat. The cargo is destined for Halifax, the first domestic destination ever from Churchill.
Churchill has seen increasing amounts of grain and agricultural products go through the port in the last three years. Shipments in 2006 were up about 20 per cent over 2004 to over 480,000 tonnes. The port is also a key link in transporting various goods to communities and businesses in Nunavut.
“The significance of the port of Churchill as Canada’s only deep-water Arctic seaport continues to be a strategic link in international trade for Western Canada,” said Wowchuk.
This year, the shipping season got off to an early start on July 25 with the arrival of the first ship of the season, the second-earliest opening of the port. The earliest opening was in 2000.
The Port of Churchill and the Hudson Bay Rail Line are operated by OmniTRAX. The port and the operations related to it employ over 100 people in Churchill during the shipping season.
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