The evolving supply needs of northern communities, the increasing natural resource extraction activities, the growing presence of foreign shipowners whose risk assessments related to the Northwest Passage may differ, and the progressive retreat of sea ice all highlight the need for a strategic reassessment of Canada’s Arctic maritime logistics. Faced with this new reality, Saul Polo, Executive Director of the St. Lawrence Shipoperators, Daniel Dagenais, President and CEO of NEAS Group, and David Rivest, President and CEO of Desgagnés Transarctik have called on federal and provincial decision-makers, in an Open Letter, to take urgent action to strengthen the safety, economic resilience, and sustainable development of the Canadian Arctic.
The Open Letter states:
“One of the most pressing priorities is the immediate modernization and securing of supply corridors. To ensure the reliability of port calls and reduce navigation risks in Arctic waters, rapid investments are required in innovative technologies, such as environmental and ice data forecasting, high-resolution bathymetry, and infrastructure upgrades. Beyond improving predictability and operational safety, these investments will enhance economic opportunities by increasing productivity and reducing fuel emissions.
“Canadian sovereignty also depends on more substantial support for local development to ensure the “everyday logistics” essential for northern life. Without robust supply chains, there can be no safety, nor can the vital goods and services expected by residents and businesses be reliably delivered. Investing in northern housing and local training programs means faster delivery of search-and-rescue bases, improved healthcare, and meaningful employment opportunities for young people.
“The environmental challenges we face demand concrete measures, including fleet renewal toward cleaner fuels, stricter emissions control, and coordinated protocols with Inuit communities to ensure environmental safety, particularly in key maritime and port operation zones.
“In the face of emerging risks, climate change, ice unpredictability, growing interest in the Northwest Passage, and cyber threats, only close cooperation between shipowners, public authorities, and insurers will reassure investors and ensure the sector’s sustainable growth. We are calling for the swift integration of Arctic port infrastructure projects into Canada’s Major Projects program, the protection of Arctic cabotage, the annual publication of logistics indicators, and measures to assess the social impacts of operations.
“Our appeal is simple: the Arctic holds undeniable economic and strategic importance that deserves more than promises. It is time to invest in tangible solutions and place maritime resilience at the heart of national policy. Only through collaboration can we ensure the safety, development, and prosperity of the Arctic.”
(Photos of Desgagnés vessel in Iqaluit and of the MV Qamutik of NEAS)