Work is underway to restore the Port of Churchill.
Omer Al-Katib, spokesperson for Arctic Gateway Group Ltd. Partnership, said it includes work on grain storage, the wharf and new grain cleaning equipment.
“The port fell into a state of disrepair as the port was not being fully utilized over the last few years,” Al-Katib said.
Hauling grain to Churchill by rail won’t begin until the spring, he said, but he pointed to the strategic significance of the rail line and port located in northern Manitoba.
Read Also
Ag In Motion 2025 site hub of activity
day before Ag in Motion preview.
“Because of the limited shipping period, the port is viable as a surge port option for western Canadian grain,” Al-Katib said.
He believes Churchill can also be used to ship other commodities.
“All kinds of things could be moving in and out of that port as the season opens,” he said, citing potash as one.
Arctic Gateway includes AGT Ltd. Partnership in Regina, along with Fairfax Financial Holdings in Toronto and Missinippi Rail Limited Partnership, which comprises 41 First Nation and other communities in Manitoba and Nunavut.
All rail service to the northern Manitoba community was cut in May 2017 when the line was washed out. Only after Arctic Gateway bought the line and the port from OmniTrax did repairs get underway and they were completed within 40 days.
The first train arrived in Churchill on Oct. 31 and the first freight train was to arrive Nov. 23. Via Rail said it has yet to set a date to resume its passenger service to Churchill.
