Rankin Inlet (Dec 08/03) - More infrastructure is needed to meet the growing demand for dry cargo in the Kivalliq region, says the general manager of Desgagnes Transarctik Inc (DTI).

Waguih Rayes says the first season of delivering dry goods into the Kivalliq region was a successful one.

Plans for the number of voyages, volume delivered and the number of stops in some communities were all surpassed.

Rayes says DTI and Nunavut Sealink and Supply commercialize the carriage of cargo.

He said the companies rely heavily on a sister company, Transport Desgagnes, to meet the increased demand.

"There was a lot of stress in accommodating everyone's needs," says Rayes.

"The fact we did, proves the formula works well. Whenever we needed a vessel, we were able to get one."

Rayes says DTI works hard behind the scenes lobbying various levels of government for infrastructure improvements along its routes.

During a recent meeting of the Canadian Marine Advisory Council, Rayes asked the Canadian Coast Guard to extend its presence in the Kivalliq at the end of the shipping season.

"The icebreakers -- which not only break ice, but also provide assistance in the case of an emergency -- are usually gone by the end of October.

"The North now requires an extended shipping season and the Coast Guard has to adjust to that."

Rayes also attended Transport Canada's short-sea-shipping meeting this past month.

He says he was disappointed there was not more talk on infrastructure during the gathering.

"The volume needed by Baker Lake and Rankin Inlet will increase substantially if the mine operations in those two communities are into production by 2006.

"We need to hear someone tell us there are provisions in place when it comes to the infrastructure needed to meet that demand."

Better communication

Between Nunavut and Nunavik, cargo volumes increased by about 20 per cent during the 2003 season, reaching a record 145,000-cubic metres.

Rayes says the company scrambled to keep up with demand and available space was tight on the last voyage of the season.

"The increased demand made it clear that we have to work on better communication.

"You never have enough communication with your clients, and between the operations and management levels."