DP World Joins Efforts to Develop Trade Through Canada’s Port of Churchill
DP World has entered into a new partnership with the operators of Canada’s northern Port of Churchill, along with CentrePort Canada, which operates Canada’s largest tri-modal inland port and Foreign Trade Zone. It is the latest in a series of steps supported by the provincial and federal government to develop Manitoba’s port as Canada seeks to build new international trade opportunities.
Under the terms of the agreement, Arctic Gateway, which operates the Port of Churchill and the Hudson Bay Railway, will work with DP World and CentrePoint for the potential development of an integrated transportation corridor. The goal is to link Manitoba and central Canada’s manufacturing and natural resources through the Port of Churchill to DP World’s global logistics network. Today’s agreement focuses on port operations, logistics services, and the future development of the network.
“Canada is building stronger, more resilient trade corridors that connect Canadian businesses to markets around the world,” said Steven MacKinnon, Minister of Transport and Leader of the Government in the House of Commons. “This agreement between the Arctic Gateway Group, CentrePort, and DP World is an important opportunity to strengthen connections between northern, inland, and global transportation networks, diversify our routes, and create new opportunities for Canadian exporters.”
Port officials highlight the steps made to revitalize its operations. They note that the Port of Churchill is shipping the most diverse range of commodities in its history. After making investments to restore the railroad and port facilities, the port is handling critical minerals, grain, and potash and providing an important location for shipping northern supplies to the Nunavut First Peoples community.
In September, the Port of Churchill handled its first grain shipments since 2020. Approximately 30,000 tonnes of Canadian durum wheat supplied by Saskatchewan-based AGT Foods was loaded at the Port of Churchill and shipped to customers in Europe. The Arctic Gateway Group says it continues to be in active conversations about driving private sector investments. It notes that studies have confirmed the Port of Churchill can support year-round operations with the current generation of ice-strengthened vessels.
CentrePoint reports it has attracted approximately C$1.5 billion in private investment. It reports that over 1,000 companies have developed in the region and that there is more than 3.5 million square feet of industrial space built or under construction in the past eight years.
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DP World is further enhancing its reach across Canada. It says it already handles more than one million TEU annually in Canada. It operates at Port Rupert in the West and is involved in the expansion of the Port of Montreal.
The federal government supports the development and is encouraging investment. It is looking to fast-track the expansion of the port as it builds international opportunities.
