'Arctic bridge' links Murmansk with Canadian Churchill

-This is just the beginning, vowed Dmitry Bystrov, Russia's acting trade commissioner in Canada, as dignitaries from both countries toasted the beginning of the realization of the long-held goal of an 'Arctic bridge' linking Churchill and Murmansk, Russia, the Winnipeg Free Press reports.

The docking of the Russian vessel "Kapitan Sviridov", a ship belonging to the Murmansk Shipping Company, marks the start of what many believe will be an Arctic trade boom between Murmansk and Canadian Manitoba. This time, the Russian vessel was loaded with nitrogen fertilizers. However, the trade might soon include several other kinds of goods.

-I think we will be progressing quickly in establishing this route with regular vessels, Mr. Bystrov said to the Canadian newspaper.

-I can tell you that for Churchill, for Manitoba and for Canada, this is an historic day, Mike Ogborn, managing director of OmniTRAX, said at a ceremony marking the occasion at the port Wednesday

The Port of Churchill is strategically located on the west coast of Hudson Bay. The port offers four deep-sea berths for the loading and unloading of grain, bulk commodities, general cargo, and tanker vessels. Close coordination with the Hudson Bay Railway, its affiliated company, allows efficient access to all North American points through a connection with the Canadian National railway system, the OmniTRAX website informs.