Canadian Arctic Security

Image: Frank Reardon Photos, July 17, 2024, Panorama of Iqaluit’s Deep Sea Port.

The discussion of a deep sea port in Iqaluit started in the 1970’s. At the time, a federal government survey was conducted and studies led to preliminary findings that recommended a concrete caisson wharf to handle shipping of dry cargo and petroleum.

Discussions continued through the decade, but the project did not proceed in the 1980s due to insufficient volumes of shipping to justify the cost of the port.

In 2005, the City of Iqaluit re-established a planning process to build the port facilities. Research was conducted to determine stakeholders and identify opportunities and challenges. Preliminary costs, concepts, potential and direct benefits, and detailed phases were planned for the deep-water port facility – reaching the same conclusions as the 1970s survey, but with significantly increased demand for fuel and supplies¹, and proposing an additional berth for small craft further inland.

In July 2015, then-MP Leona Aglukkaq announced the federal government would spend $63.7 million on the new port – 75% of the total $84.9 million cost – and the Government of Nunavut would cover the remaining 25% ($21.2 million)².

Iqaluit’s long awaited port was completed on July 25th, 2023. Prior to completion, unloading cargo through sealift would take up to 12 hours a day due to tides, and would involve the hauling of a small barge between ship and shore. A process that has taken up to 3 weeks for a single ship in previous seasons³.

The new port allows vessels to unload directly onto the wharf and has an attached laydown area where containers can be moved and stored – it’s even got sections of long ramps that extends into deep water which enables items to be transported and unloaded quickly by barge.

Most importantly, due to its location, it means ships will no longer have to wait for high tide to unload cargo. “This will reduce offload times from days to hours”, said Iqaluit-Manirajak MLA Adam Arreak Lightstone in an interview with Nunatsiaq News⁴.

Iqaluit’s new port will increase the shipping window, reduce time to unload, and help to reduce high shipping costs that make produce, fuel, and goods so expensive – gradually reducing the region’s cost of living.

1. Strategic Plan for the Iqaluit Deepwater Port Project, Tunngavik, August 2005, https://www.tunngavik.com/documents/publications/2005-08-00%20Iqaluit%20Deepwater%20Port%20Strategic%20Plan.pdf ↩︎
2. Iqaluit’s new deepsea port set to finally open, Nunatsiaq News, July 24, 2023, https://nunatsiaq.com/stories/article/iqaluits-new-deepsea-port-set-to-finally-open/ ↩︎
3. After decades of plans and studies, Iqaluit’s deep sea port finally opens, APTN News, July 27, 2023, https://www.aptnnews.ca/national-news/after-decades-of-plans-and-studies-iqaluits-deep-sea-port-finally-opens/ ↩︎
4. Iqaluit’s ship comes in as deepsea port opens. Nunatsiaq News, July 25, 2023 https://nunatsiaq.com/stories/article/iqaluits-ship-comes-in-as-deepsea-port-opens/ ↩︎