Rankin Inlet (Mar 19/03) - Kivalliq residents are going to be pleasantly surprised by the level of dry cargo service they receive this year, says Waguih Rayes.

The shipping manager for Desgagnes Transarctik Inc. says he realizes people in the Kivalliq are more than a little apprehensive over having to rely on another company after dealing with NTCL through the port of Churchill for decades.

The Government of Nunavut's dry cargo sealift services contract to the Kivalliq region was awarded to Nunavut Sealink and Supply Inc. (NNSI), a partnership between Arctic Co-operatives Ltd. (ACL) and Desgagnes Transarctik Inc.

"Suddenly, there's this drastic change and people here find themselves having to deal through a Quebec port," says Rayes. "People seem to fear that because it's not tug and barge, it might be a problem for places like Baker Lake to get cargo in and that's simply not the case.

"I'm committing myself to making this transition as smooth as possible for Kivalliq residents."

The partnership has a fleet of six general cargo vessels, ranging from 1,200 to 17,000 tons.

The Jacque Desgagnes (1,200 tons) will serve Baker Lake.

Rayes says local co-ops will serve as agents for NSSI in Kivalliq communities.

"People should be able to go to their co-op and pick up a form for the booking note, or see all kinds of information on the community bulletin board regarding the sailing dates and any other information they may require.

"There will also be an 800 number so they can speak to people in either Montreal or Iqaluit to address and concerns they may have."

Rayes will be in Rankin Inlet this weekend to attend the Sivummut Economic Development Conference.

After that, it's off to meet with Winnipeg suppliers to discuss the ins and outs of shipping their Kivalliq customers' cargo to Montreal rather than Churchill.

"We're going to work with Kivalliq residents to help them understand how to have their cargo delivered right to their door.

"We're no fly-by-night operation. Our company's been involved with sealifts since 1967.

"Everybody is dealt with by our company as an important client.

"Once they get to know us, Kivalliq residents will be pleased with our attention to customer service."