Grain shipments to resume through Port of Churchill after five-year hiatus

Prairie grain is set to move along the Hudson Bay Railway to the Port of Churchill, marking the first grain shipment through the northern trade corridor since 2020.

The first shipment is scheduled to depart July 17 from The Pas, Man., and travel north to the Port of Churchill, where multiple export vessels will transport the grain to international markets later this summer.

“This is an important day for Arctic Gateway Group, for Prairie producers, and for the Indigenous and northern communities that own this corridor,” said Mike Spence, chair of the Arctic Gateway Group and mayor of Churchill. “It’s a strong signal of the progress made to restore and rebuild this corridor, and of the opportunity ahead as we continue growing the business with a diversified mix of exports. In addition to grain, we will also this year export critical minerals and potash, as well as industrial goods, supplies and equipment to Nunavut – representing the most diversified mix of annual exports in the Port of Churchill’s history.”

Arctic Gateway Group said the grain movement is expected to support the long-term rebuilding of traffic through the corridor. The company added that, in addition to grain, it plans to export critical minerals, potash and industrial goods through the port this year.

“This is exactly what the revitalization of the Hudson Bay Railway and Port of Churchill is about,” said Chris Avery, president and CEO of Arctic Gateway Group. “It is about diversifying Canadian trade through a reliable northern trade corridor, supporting the export of Western Canada’s vast resources, strengthening Canada’s presence in the north and delivering long-term benefits to AGG’s Indigenous and northern community owners.”