The Port of Churchill in northern Manitoba has signed an agreement with the Belgian Port of Antwerp-Bruges, one of the world’s largest cargo-shipping hubs, to ship Canadian resources to Europe while importing European manufactured goods to Canada.
Under the deal, Canadian critical minerals, energy resources, fertilizer and agricultural products will ship directly to Europe via the Manitoba port, while European equipment and manufactured goods can flow into Churchill, Chris Avery, CEO of Port of Churchill operator Arctic Gateway Group, said in a March 3 press release.
“By working with Port of Antwerp-Bruges International, we are building a reliable, diversified trade corridor that strengthens supply chains, attracts long-term investment, and delivers measurable economic benefits to Indigenous and northern communities, Manitoba, and industry across Western Canada,” Avery said.
Port of Antwerp-Bruges CEO Kristof Waterschoot said the European Union (EU) is speeding up efforts to obtain sustainable critical resources for both industry and clean energy, and the agreement will help meet those needs.
“Canada is a trusted partner, and the Port of Churchill is a strategic Arctic gateway with significant long-term potential for the exchange of valuable resources between Europe, Manitoba, and the Canadian West,” Waterschoot said in the press release.
The agreement lets the ports establish a long-term partnership and explore potential future investments in the Port of Churchill, the companies said in the statement. Another goal, they said, is to explore trade flows between Churchill, Antwerp-Bruges, and the broader European market.
The Port of Antwerp-Bruges, Europe’s second-largest port, ships nearly 300 million tonnes of cargo every year. It is owned by the City of Antwerp and the City of Bruges and was formed by the 2022 merger of the Antwerp and Zeebrugge ports.
Possible Port Expansion
News of the deal comes as Ottawa contemplates a major expansion of the Port of Churchill, North America’s only deep-water Arctic port connected to rail. The port, located on the banks of Hudson Bay, currently functions for only four months each year, from July to October.
Operations could shift to six months each year or to year-round operation with the deployment of icebreakers, Arctic Gateway Group has said.
The government has started a study on the feasibility of turning the northern Manitoba facility into a year-round, multi-commodity trade hub.
The study, announced last month by Prairies Economic Development Canada, is expected to be completed by March 31. Ottawa said the study will determine whether the project will proceed.
Transport Minister Steven MacKinnon has said the port could play a role in the government’s plan to connect the Canadian economy to global markets.
Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew said the port has the potential to connect Manitoba with the world and promised to work with Ottawa to make the project happen.
“Manitoba has made significant progress to advance this project that will help Canadian goods reach new markets year-round, creating good jobs along the way,” he said in the statement.
