Indigenous-led logistics platform launched to support Arctic operations

BBE Expediting Ltd. and Det’on Cho Logistics have announced the launch of a new logistics platform aimed at strengthening coordination and operational readiness across Canada’s Arctic.

The Arctic Defence Logistics Platform brings together industry, defence and government partners, along with Indigenous joint ventures, under a shared framework designed to improve logistics execution in the region.

The initiative comes as governments and industry increase focus on Arctic infrastructure, sovereignty and supply chain resilience.

A key feature of the platform is a dual-hub model, with operations centred in Edmonton and Yellowknife. Edmonton will serve as a southern gateway for procurement and consolidation, while Yellowknife will support northern staging and access to remote communities and project sites.

The companies say the structure is intended to improve timing across seasonal logistics windows and enhance coordination between southern supply chains and northern operations.

The platform also integrates Indigenous participation through joint ventures, including Inuvialuit BBE Expediting, Kitikmeot BBE Expediting, TliCho BBE Expediting and BBE Infinity Metis Corporation.

“Participation in the Arctic Defence Logistics Platform reflects our commitment to ensuring northern logistics solutions are grounded in local knowledge, Indigenous ownership and the realities of northern operations,” said Brian Lema, president of Det’on Cho Logistics. “Logistics in the North is fundamentally different from logistics in the South. You are planning around constrained access, narrow seasonal windows and fewer recovery options, which means reliability has to be designed in from the start. This platform brings together the partnerships, regional presence and execution model needed to perform in that reality.”

The platform will support multimodal transportation, including air, marine and seasonal overland routes, as well as sealift coordination, ice road logistics and handling of regulated and temperature-sensitive cargo. It is also designed to support rapid deployment for defence and emergency response.

“Effective Arctic logistics requires extensive coordination and execution capability,” said Heather Stewart, CEO of BBE. “The Arctic Defence Logistics Platform brings together connected infrastructure, partnerships, and operational alignment needed to improve access, readiness and long-term sustainability in the North.”