Rankin Inlet (July 07/03) - A James Bay marine transport firm is moving forward with a trial cargo run into the Kivalliq this summer.

Moosonee Transportation Limited (MTL), will use a tug and barge to service five Kivalliq communities from the port of Churchill, MB.

MTL's Rheal Cool said the firm will make stops in Arviat, Rankin Inlet, Baker Lake, Chesterfield Inlet, and Whale Cove during the week of August 11.

The company is using two NTCL barges initially leased for use in James Bay.

Cool said the cargo lift grew out of requests for service from the communities.

"As soon as we leased the barges, we began getting calls from people."

The venture will augment scheduled service into the Kivalliq by Northern Sealink and Supply (NSSI) out of the port of Montreal.

NSSI has two guaranteed sailings into Baker Lake and Chesterfield Inlet, and three into Rankin Inlet and Arviat this year. The first NSSI vessel is scheduled to arrive in Sanikiluaq July 23.

Cool said Moonsoonee now has about 1,200 tonnes of fuel, dry goods, and construction materials booked for the August sailing.

He doesn't anticipate a profit this year but is looking to the long term.

"We will probably lose our shirts this summer."

The scaled down operation won't pay for the 1,800 tonne NTCL barges and 3,000 horsepower tug, he said.

"But if the demand is there, we think a 1,000 tonne barge and a 1,200 to 1,500 horsepower tug could be a viable."

Arviat mayor Peter Kritaqliluk said the community wants to see barge service out of Churchill continue.

Shipping out of Montreal will inevitably end long-term relationships with Winnipeg-based suppliers, he said.

"We want to keep dealing with the same people we have been dealing with for 20 years."

The first NSSI sailing into Arviat this year is scheduled for Aug. 1.

Moonsoonee will meet with the communities at a round-table in August to discuss plans for 2004 and beyond.