NEAS sails off with big Nunavut sealift contract
Company is now Government of Nunavut’s “dedicated carrier” for 18 communities
Representatives of Nunavut Eastern Arctic Shipping Inc. were smiling even before the April 25 announcement that their company would become the Government of Nunavut’s “dedicated carrier” for the majority of its annual sealift resupply. Seen here at their trade show booth at the recent Nunavut Mining Symposium, from left: Suzanne Paquin, CEO and president of NEAS Group; Jimmy S. Akavak, director of marketing; and Jamie Tolis, business development manager. (Photo courtesy of NEAS)
Nunavut Eastern Arctic Shipping Inc. has won a big contract to resupply goods to 18 Nunavut communities for the Government of Nunavut over the next five years, with the possibility of two one-year extensions.
NEAS announced yesterday that it’s now the GN’s “dedicated carrier” for Iqaluit, Cape Dorset, Kimmirut, Pangnirtung, Arctic Bay, Qikiqtarjuaq, Clyde River, Grise Fiord, Pond Inlet, Resolute Bay, Baker Lake, Chesterfield Inlet, Rankin Inlet, Whale Cove, Arviat, Coral Harbour, Kugaaruk, Sanikiluaq and its Churchill-Kivalliq service.
At the same time, NEAS, whose parent company is based in Valleyfield, Que., will be able to serve private customers, businesses and mines.
Previously, the GN contract to deliver sealift supplies had been held by NEAS’ main competitor, Nunavut Sealink and Supply Inc.
For residents of Kugaaruk, the terms of the agreement between NEAS and the GN means they can now reserve directly with NEAS for the Valleyfield to Kugaaruk service.
Until recently, Kugaaruk residents had to reserve through the GN for Canadian Coast Guard icebreaker delivery via Nanisivik.
So, instead of having to make two bookings for Kugaaruk, it’s now one, said Suzanne Paquin, the CEO and president of NEAS.
Paquin said she was “happy and thankful” for the GN’s vote of confidence, adding that “reliability was definitely a factor.”
For NEAS it’s a “great opportunity” that will see the company refleeting—that is, not adding vessels but bringing in large vessels, Paquin said.
For communities in western Nunavut that suffered the cancellation of the Northwest Territories-owned Marine Transport Services barge last October and remain angry over cargo left in Inuvik, they can count on NEAS arriving by the first week of September, Paquin said.
NEAS isn’t happy about having to compete against a government enterprise in western Nunavut, said Paquin.
“We’ve made significant investments in our tugs, our ships, our equipment, we train. We have a lot of administrative systems, and all we’re asking for is a level playing field, fair competition,” she said.
“We will compete against anyone, but we cannot compete against a government enterprise. They can do whatever they want.”
The NEAS sealift vessel is scheduled to arrive in Kugluktuk and Cambridge Bay by the end of the first week in September, Paquin said.
NEAS Group Inc. is jointly owned by Makivik Corp. and Transport Nanuk Inc., whose shareholders are Logistec Corp. and the North West Co.
The NEAS Group Inc. consists of Nunavik Eastern Arctic Shipping Inc., NEAS Inc. and Nunavut Eastern Arctic Shipping Inc.
Nunavut Eastern Arctic Shipping Inc., established in 1998 and headquartered in Iqaluit, is governed by a board of directors with majority Inuit representation and ownership, including shareholders registered as Nunavut businesses and local Inuit firms.
Their main competitor, Nunavut Sealink and Supply Inc.—known as NSSI—is a joint venture between the Qikiqtaaluk Corp. and Sakku Investments Corp. The Arctic Co-op Ltd. remains NSSI’s majority shareholder while Desgagnés Transarctik Inc. serves as its managing partner.
Know who else is smiling? Northern. Tthey are the ones that actually own NEAss.
I am writing to rectify certain comments and bring precision to some ‘make-believe’ information that are included under this article.
First, it is to note that in the last three years, the sealift to Kugaaruk was serviced by Nunavut Sealink and Supply Inc. (NSSI), with a direct carriage from Ste-Catherine, in the Montreal region, under the contract with the Government of Nunavut (GN/NSSI Agreement).
Second, it is a fact that NSSI has always been the Arctic Sealift leader in terms of volumes carried to and from the North, as well as tonnage (total ship-capacity). This time, NSSI was selected by GN as the Designated Carrier (which is the precise term to use, not ”Dedicated Carrier” as announced by NEAS according to this article) for the sealift service to the communities in the Foxe Basin and the Kitikmeot Regions. NSSI also is the designated carrier for the major mining projects in Nunavut.
Finally, it is worth underlining that the Kitikmeot Corporation (KC) is also a shareholder in NSSI. Therefore, NSSI partnership includes all three Regional Developpment Corporations in Nunavut, with Arctic Co-operatives and Desgagnés Transarctik Inc. (DTI).
Waguih Rayes, General Manager
DESGAGNÉS TRANSARCTIK INC.
NSSI’ Managing Partner
Transport Desgagnés battle is being fought by a one-man show.
Going for older ships than newer ones; the life of a government in Nunavut.
“The NEAS sealift vessel is scheduled to arrive in Kugluktuk and Cambridge Bay by the end of the first week in September” Paquin said.
Kugluktuk and Cambridge Bay are not on the list of communities to be served by the GN Contract…are these two including Gjoa Haven and Taloyoak left on their own to ensure they receive sea-lift supplies this year?
Hi Westerner, Yes NEAS is going to Gjoa Haven and Taloyoak.
Please check neas.ca website to view schedule and reserve your space.