Northwest Passage traffic continues to

By Derek Neary Northern News Services

The pace of shipping activity in the Northwest Passage ramped up in 2022, reaching 184 vessels, according to the Canadian Coast Guard.

That comes on the heels of 150 vessels in 2021, marking a 22.7 per cent increase year over year. There were 111 ships in 2020.

The most common type of ship in 2022 was bulk carriers, which numbered 40, essentially on par with the year before when there were 39.

Twenty-four pleasure craft also cruised through the passage.

There were 21 general cargo vessels, 18 fishing boats, 17 passenger ships, 15 tugs, 13 research vessels and 12 tankers and several icebreakers among the traffic in the far Northern channel.

Sealift

In 2023, Nunavut Eastern Arctic Shipping (NEAS) has six cargo vessels sailing from the Port of Becancour, Que. NEAS is majority-owned by Nunavut-based Inuit businesses. Competitor Nunavut Sealink and Supply Inc. (NSSI) has 10 cargo vessels based in the ports of Sainte-Catherine, Que., Becancour, Que., and Valleyfield, Que. NSSI and Taqramut Transport Inc. (TTI) carry cargo to Nunavik and Nunavut. The venture is planning more than 30 resupply trips in 2023, which will include services for private and commercial customers.

With offices in Quebec and Iqaluit, NSSI is a joint-venture between Arctic Cooperatives Ltd., Desgagnes Transarctik Inc., Qikiqtaaluk Corporation, Sakku Investments Corporation and Kitikmeot Corporation.