Infrastructure and Transportation Minister Ron Lemieux today congratulated the port of Churchill as it welcomed the arrival of the first grain ship of the year at the port, one of the earliest arrival dates in the port’s history.

 

“An early shipping season is great news for the port as it enhances its viability and competitiveness and increases economic opportunities in the region,” said Lemieux. “Even with the uncertainty surrounding the Canadian Wheat Board, we are confident this early start will result in increased use of the port.”

 

The M.V. Patent from Malta arrived in Churchill on July 21 and is expected to depart for Brazil tomorrow with a load of 27,500 tonnes of Canadian Wheat Board red spring wheat.   

 

“The port of Churchill is Canada’s only deep-water Arctic port and has the potential to grow in importance in terms of shipping to international destinations,” said Lemieux. “Manitoba and the federal government are partners in looking at ways to diversify the use of the port. The port of Churchill has all the necessary infrastructure and services to provide an ideal base for northern security and operations.”

 

Churchill has seen increasing amounts of grain and agricultural products go through the port in the last few years. Last year, 488,000 tonnes were shipped through the port, compared to 466,000 tonnes in 2005 and 400,000 tonnes in 2004. Churchill is also a key link in the shipping of products and goods of all kinds to communities and businesses in Nunavut.

 

The Port of Churchill and the Hudson Bay Rail Line are operated by OmniTRAX. Activity surrounding port operations employs over 100 people in Churchill during the shipping season.

 

This is the second earliest opening of the port of Churchill. The earliest opening was in 2000.