Iqaluit’s New Deep-Sea Port in the Canadian Arctic

Abstract: Iqaluit is the first community in the Canadian Arctic to receive a full-serviced deep-sea port dedicated to the annual resupply of community cargo, including dry cargo and bulk fuel. Iqaluit, the capital city of the Nunavut territory in northern Canada, has a population of 8,000 and receives more cargo, by far, than any other arctic community in Canada, typically seeing 12 dry cargo ships and seven tankers during the navigable season of early July to end of October. Other vessel calls include the Canadian Coast Guard, fishing trawlers and research vessels, cruise ships and naval ships. With a tidal range approaching 12 metres during springs, dry cargo was historically lightered ashore to a beach accessible for only short daily windows, fuel was pumped ashore with floating hoses and crew/passenger changes were tendered ashore in small boats.

A port facility at Iqaluit was studied as early as the 1970s by the federal government and was restudied several times since then by various levels of government. A study commissioned by the Government of Nunavut in 2010, which was fed by increasing pressure from the shipping companies for better and safer facilities at Iqaluit, reexamined the bases of the old studies, including the site selected and the costs, all of which were simply escalated costs from past studies. The new study concluded that the cost estimates of the previous studies grossly underestimated the logistical complexities of remote northern executions and the size of the facility needed. The site selection was changed to materially reduce construction costs, albeit to some degree at the expense of navigation ease, but avoided one of the most significant problems with the previous site – blasting underwater for stability of the main wharf.

The new port includes a deep-sea wharf, sealift ramp, laydown yard, fuel pipeline extension and manifold, and other ancillary components. The 100m long deep-sea wharf consists of cellular sheet piles, and allows for full tidal access for the full range of vessels. It is 23 metres tall from deck to seabed, making it one of the tallest structures of its kind in the Arctic. It was located to allow for unassisted vessel approach and berthing, while accommodating ice conditions, including icebreaking alongside during the shoulder season. The presence of soft sediments in deeper water required careful consideration to minimize the need for dredging while placing substantial fill heights.

Federal and territorial funding for the project was confirmed in 2015 and design and consultations began in late 2016. Construction began in mid-2018 and was completed in 2022, allowing the first tankers to berth in late 2022. The facility, in its first season of operation, met its operational goals of increased efficiency, increased safety and reduced environmental risk and it demonstrated that the facility was designed for the future needs of Iqaluit.

How does this project / topic contribute to the advancement of the industry and profession?: This is the first port facility in the Canadian Arctic that services community needs and is not strictly for commercial (mining) or government (defence) specific functions. There is also limited marine infrastructure of this scale in the Arctic that includes a deep seaport and small craft harbour facilities. The project includes a wide variety of marine infrastructure including a large cellular sheet pile wharf, breakwaters, sealift ramps, boat ramps, and slope protection.

The site's remoteness and short construction windows provided additional challenges during design and construction.

Does the project / topic implement new and innovative techniques, materials, technologies, and delivery methods?: Yes, the deep seaport fixed wharf consists of a cellular sheet pile structure that has a free height of 23 m, due to the nearly 12m tidal range and 10m berth depth, making it one of the largest structures of its kind in the Arctic. The structure had to be designed to accommodate ice conditions including ice breaking in the shoulder season and ice bustle.

The design of the facility also had to account for the short Arctic construction window through concept selection and planning.

What was the most challenging aspect of your project / topic and how did you handle it to ensure success?: The project is located in the remote Arctic with limited availability of construction materials and short (4 month) shipping and construction window due to sea ice conditions. The design, and project execution had to account for this. For example, due to a lack of available rock sources, a new quarry was developed to produce and supply all of the armour stone and fill materials.

The facility had to also be delivered and the scope scaled for a set capital budget.

Who is the target audience for this paper?: Port engineers, master planners, port facility operators, shipping operators, government organizations and funding agencies, and Arctic marine users.