Year-round shipping could be achieved on Hudson Bay without the need for costly icebreakers, according to a statement from Premier Wab Kinew’s representative. Amy Tuckett-McGimpsey announced on Thursday that research on extending the shipping season, which is a critical element of the proposed expansion of the Port of Churchill, has shown promising results. The Manitoba government is set to unveil the findings of these studies on Friday.
Arctic Gateway Group, in collaboration with shipping company Fednav, conducted a study to determine the requirements for enabling year-round shipping at the Port of Churchill. Additionally, both the provincial and federal governments commissioned a separate study by the Arctic Research Foundation to explore the feasibility of prolonging the operational season at the port. The Fednav study has been finalized, while the Arctic Research Foundation study is expected to be completed by March 2027, as per statements made by Rebecca Widdicombe, a spokesperson for Premier Kinew.
Premier Kinew is planning to disclose details from both studies ahead of a summit in Toronto in September, where he intends to present the Port of Churchill expansion project to potential international investors. Kinew mentioned in an interview with the Globe & Mail that the studies indicate that due to diminishing sea ice, icebreakers in the range of $50 million to $100 million could be utilized to navigate Hudson Bay, instead of requiring multibillion-dollar vessels.
The proposed Port of Churchill expansion includes various components, such as the reconstruction of the Hudson Bay Railway to support higher payloads, and enhancements to storage and loading facilities at the port. Plans also involve exploring the option of shipping commodities through Hudson Bay earlier and later in the season, utilizing icebreakers and ice-hardened tugboats. Furthermore, there have been discussions about the potential construction of a natural gas or oil pipeline to Churchill, along with establishing a year-round access road to the community.
A previous feasibility study conducted by consulting firm PwC in 2023 highlighted several short-term, cost-effective opportunities to increase shipping activities through the Port of Churchill. However, the study was less conclusive regarding the feasibility of a more extensive investment in a northern Manitoba trade corridor. The study emphasized the potential to export nickel and silica sand through the port, as well as enhancing its role as a resupply hub for remote communities in Nunavut.
The study also touched on the limited market potential for transporting crude oil, natural gas, or hydrogen through Hudson Bay. It warned that while climate change may prolong the ice-free season on Hudson Bay in the coming years, it could also lead to challenges such as increased ice jams and severe storms affecting navigation due to more open water.
Residents of northern Manitoba expressed support for a modest expansion of the port, particularly if it improves services on the Hudson Bay Railway. However, concerns were raised about the environmental impact and potential negative effects on Churchill’s status as an ecotourism destination. Opposition was notably strong against any plans involving the transportation of oil through the port or activities that could harm the marine environment crucial for Inuit and Indigenous communities.
Arctic Gateway CEO Chris Avery mentioned that the 2023 PwC report was written before Canada shifted focus towards major projects, and it aligned with the strategy of building a more diverse and resilient business at the port. The federal government designated the Port of Churchill expansion as “nationally significant infrastructure” in 2025, although it did not list it among the major national projects approved for advancement.