Shipping companies are pressing the Canadian government to invest in Arctic infrastructure and navigation technology as climate change makes northern transport routes more hazardous, reports Winnipeg's APTN News.

More than a dozen shipowners and transport firms say new port facilities, better satellite imaging and modern ocean floor mapping are needed. David Rivest, president of Desgagnes Transarctik, said demand for Arctic transport is growing as communities and mining firms rely on shipping.

Mr Rivest noted that current boat ramps are little more than gravel inclines exposed to tides, making loading difficult. In Kuujjuaq, Quebec, ships must anchor four to five nautical miles offshore, forcing long transits to the beach landing area.

Efficiency is critical given the short Arctic shipping season, which runs from June to November. Some locations have windows as short as 45 days, Rivest said, and sometimes less.

Melting sea ice has unleashed icebergs and opened waterways to more vessels, increasing risks. NEAS Group CEO Daniel Dagenais said sailboats were unexpectedly encountered in the Northwest Passage this summer, complicating operations.

A Universite du Quebec a Montreal study found Arctic boat trips rose nearly 50 per cent to 466 between 2011 and 2024. Shippers argue better weather tracking and satellite image processing are needed to manage rising traffic and shifting ice flows.

The Canadian Hydrographic Service reported only 15.8 per cent of Arctic waters are adequately surveyed, with 44.7 per cent of key routes meeting bathymetry standards. Mr Rivest warned outdated mapping compounds risks as ice moves unpredictably.

The St Lawrence Ship Operators association welcomed Ottawa's renewed focus on infrastructure and defence spending but said details are lacking. Executive director Saul Polo noted it remains unclear how federal budget allocations will support Arctic shipping.