CHURCHILL, MB – With the sailing of the MV Nikator bound for Nigeria in the pre-dawn hours of November 2, the Hudson Bay Port Company (HBPC) at the Port of Churchill completed its 2010 season. A total of 656,298 tonnes were shipped through the Port this season, the second highest tonnage shipped since 1997 in a season that began on July 28. A total of 22 vessels called on the Port during the season.
The season saw a number of firsts this year, including the shipment of human grade peas, a total of 7,225 railcars being unloaded at the Port, and non-Wheat Board shipments moving for the first time in three years. Additionally, the Port handled goods destined to the communities and mines in Nunavut.
CWB president and CEO Ian White said, “We congratulate the Port on the conclusion of a successful season. The CWB faced significant challenges this year due to weather conditions in the Churchill catchment area and we are pleased we could overcome those and ship a near record number of tonnes through the Port." He added, “Churchill has historically been an important shipping outlet for the shipment of grain from western Canadian grain farmers. We look forward to continued strong working relationships with our partners at the Port in the years to come.”
Gary Long, President of OmniTRAX Canada said, “We are pleased with the successful completion of this year's season. We thank the CWB for its business, our employees at HBPC and the Hudson Bay Railway (HBR) for making this year such a good one, the Canadian National Railway for working so closely with the Port and HBR to ensure the success, and the non-Board shippers for using our port. This year would not have been possible without a smoothly working team of all concerned."
The Port of Churchill is owned by OmniTRAX Canada, Inc. (
www.omnitrax.com) and based in Winnipeg, Manitoba. The Port is Canada’s only deepwater Arctic port and it is served by its affiliate, HBR. The Port and HBR make up a transportation system geared to provide service to and from northern Manitoba and Nunavut. In addition to the Port of Churchill, OmniTRAX manages transportation businesses located in three Canadian provinces and 10 US states and offer a full range of transportation and logistics services. These services include railroad, port and freight terminal operations. Through its affiliation with The Broe Group (www.broe.com http://www.broe.com/) and its managed companies, OmniTRAX has the unique capability of offering customers specialized industrial development and real estate solutions, both on and off the OmniTRAX network.
Controlled by western Canadian farmers, the Canadian Wheat Board is the largest wheat and barley marketer in the world. One of Canada’s biggest exporters, the Winnipeg-based organization sells grain to more than 70 countries and returns all revenue, less marketing costs, to farmers.
Media note: Contact the following with any questions:
Mike Ogborn
OmniTRAX
Tel: (204) 953-3684
mogborn@omnitrax.com
John Lyons
CWB media relations manager
Tel: (204) 983-3101
Cell: (204) 223-4281
john_lyons@cwb.ca