Winnipeg – Arctic Gateway Group, CentrePort Canada Inc., and DP World (Canada) Inc. have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to pursue strategic trade growth opportunities, AGG announced in a press release.
This agreement focuses on port operations, logistics services, and the potential development of an integrated transportation corridor linking the Port of Churchill, the Hudson Bay Railway, CentrePort Canada, and DP World’s global logistics network. This recognizes the importance of strong and diversified supply chains and the growing need for additional transportation corridors to help connect businesses with global markets. It also acknowledges that effective trade infrastructure is built with business realities and private sector perspective at the forefront.
Manitoba’s trade and transportation assets are seeing growing national and international interest. In recent years, CentrePort Canada has attracted approximately $1.5 billion in private investment and is home to over 1,000 companies. There has been more than 3.5 million square feet of industrial space built or under construction in the past 8 years alone.
At the same time, the Port of Churchill is shipping the most diverse range of commodities in its history, including critical minerals, grain, potash and northern supply to Nunavut, with active conversations underway on driving private sector investment to further modernize and grow exports.
With the expertise and investment interest from proven, global port operator DP World, who handles over one million TEUs in Canada annually, Manitoba’s key inland and coastal ports are poised for even further growth. This includes the potential to connect Europe and Asia intermodally through Canada to establish new, secure and trusted trade options.
By bringing together northern, inland and global trade infrastructure and expertise, the agreement will support more reliable supply chains, strengthen Canada’s trade corridors, and improve access to international markets.
This agreement brings together the complementary strengths of:
- Arctic Gateway Group, owner and operator of the Port of Churchill and Hudson Bay Railway, with its unique Indigenous and community ownership model;
- CentrePort Canada, Canada’s largest and most established tri-modal inland port and Foreign Trade Zone, connecting businesses to truck, rail and air cargo transportation; and,
- DP World, a world leader in end-to-end supply chain solutions, specializing in cargo logistics, port terminal operations, maritime services, and free trade zones.
“Manitoba has a big role to play in building a stronger Canadian economy. The Port of Churchill gives us a direct connection to global markets, and partnerships with CentrePort Canada and DP World will help us get more Canadian products to the world,” said Wab Kinew, Premier of Manitoba.
“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.”
“This year has brought the most diverse mix of commodities ever shipped through the Port of Churchill, and there is growing international attention on what we are building in Manitoba’s North,” said Chris Avery, President & CEO, Arctic Gateway Group. “We want to build on that momentum together with our partners at CentrePort Canada and with the global expertise of DP World. By better integrating Churchill with Manitoba’s inland transportation and trade infrastructure, we can create a truly unified trade corridor, connecting Western Canadian resources to new markets and diversifying Canadian trade for a stronger future.”
“Inland ports play an important role in extending the reach of seaports and connecting them to national and global supply chains,” said Carly Edmundson, President & CEO, CentrePort Canada Inc. “DP World’s expertise and network will further help companies access the four trade corridors that intersect at CentrePort: The Arctic gateway via the Port of Churchill, as well as the Mid-Continent, Asia Pacific, and eastern gateways.”
“Canada’s long-term trade competitiveness depends on having resilient, diversified corridors that connect Canadian businesses and commodities to markets around the world,” said Doug Smith, CEO of DP World in Canada. “This agreement is an opportunity to explore how the Port of Churchill, the Hudson Bay Railway and CentrePort Canada can connect more effectively with DP World’s global network and end-to-end logistics capabilities.”
Signature ceremony photo shows, from left, Chris Every, President and CEO of Arctic Gateway Group, Carly Edmundson of CentrePort Canada, and Doug Smith, CEO of DP World Canada.
(Signature photo by David Lipnowski Photography and port photo from AGG)