Nunavut Sealink and Supply Inc.

What Nunavut Sealink and Supply Inc. does

Nunavut Sealink and Supply Inc. (NSSI) is a Canadian maritime cargo shipping company incorporated in April 2000, majority-owned by Inuit entities including Arctic Co-operatives Limited (principal shareholder) and three regional Inuit development corporations (Qikiqtaaluk Corporation, Sakku Investment Corporation, Kitikmeot Corporation). Desgagnés Transarctik Inc. (DTI) acts as the managing partner, providing operational expertise and ISO 9001-2015 / ISO 14001-2015 certified management. The company serves 26 communities across all three administrative regions of Nunavut with general cargo, rolling cargo (vehicles and machinery), fuel, and dangerous goods transport under the IMDG Code.

The core technology is an 11+ vessel fleet of ice-class ships specifically designed and equipped for Arctic navigation in ice-covered waters (vessels include the Acadia Desgagnés, Sedna Desgagnés, Taiga Desgagnés, Nordika Desgagnés, and others), supported by 1,000,000+ square feet of integrated warehousing, compacted yard, and containerization capacity at Bécancour Port through subsidiary Desgagnés Logistik. Distribution is multi-modal: a trilingual (French/English/Inuktitut) online booking and rate-calculation platform at arcticsealift.com, terminal operations at Sainte-Catherine, Bécancour, and Valleyfield in Quebec and Churchill in Manitoba, and a local cooperative channel in Nunavik via Taqramut Transport Inc. (TTI) in partnership with the Fédération des Coopératives du Nouveau Québec. Revenue is generated on a per-shipment transaction basis, charging the higher of weight or volume (one ship space unit = 2.5 m³), with ancillary fees for dangerous goods handling, optional cargo insurance (general cargo at $0.72 per $100 of value; vehicles/machinery at $1.38 per $100), and limited carrier liability of $2,775 per piece/package/unit. Customer segments span the Government of Nunavut (under a service agreement), Arctic co-operatives and Inuit development corporations, individual Inuit beneficiaries shipping personal effects and vehicles, and commercial distributors shipping fuel and supplies.

Name

Nunavut Sealink and Supply Inc.

Legal name

Nunavut Sealink and Supply Inc.

Website

https://arcticsealift.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2000

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

NSSI is a Canadian maritime cargo carrier majority-owned by Inuit entities that uses an ice-class vessel fleet to ship general cargo, vehicles, fuel, and dangerous goods to 26 Nunavut and 14 Nunavik communities, integrated with multi-port terminals and warehousing.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Maritime Shipping Services

NAICS

Deep Sea, Coastal, and Great Lakes Water Transportation (48311), Support Activities for Water Transportation (4883)

SIC

Water Transportation (4400)

akta.pro primary industry

Mainline Container Liner Carriers (TLADABAA)

Keywords

• Arctic maritime shipping
• Cargo transport services
• Ice-class vessel fleet
• Remote community logistics
• Dangerous goods transport

Headquarters

HQ city

Iqaluit

HQ country

Canada

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Operations, Personnel, Infrastructure, Supply Chain, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Maritime Cargo Transportation - Nunavut: Primary revenue stream from maritime cargo transport services to Nunavut communities. The company charges based on weight or volume (whichever is higher), with rates published seasonally. Volume is measured in ship space units (2.5 m³ per unit) or metric tons. Services include general cargo, rolling cargo (vehicles), and fuel transport.
2. Cargo Insurance Services: Optional cargo insurance offered at booking for maritime transport coverage. General packaged goods: 0.72$ per 100$ of insured value. Vehicles/boats/machinery/trailers/ATV/snowmobile/canoe: 1.38$ per 100$ of insured value. Minimum premium of 50$ per shipment.
3. Dangerous Goods Handling: Specialized transport of dangerous goods governed by IMDG Code. Requires 15-day advance notice and proper documentation. Additional fees may apply for compliance with Transport Canada regulations.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Nunavut Sealink and Supply Inc. (NSSI) provides annual maritime cargo transport services to 26 communities across the three administrative regions of Nunavut, using an ice-class vessel fleet operated by managing partner Desgagnés Transarctik Inc. (DTI). Core services include general cargo, fuel, rolling cargo (vehicles and machinery), and dangerous goods transport, supported by optional cargo insurance, online booking via arcticsealift.com, and terminal delivery operations at Sainte-Catherine, Bécancour, Valleyfield, and Churchill ports.

Product overview

Nunavut Sealink and Supply Inc. (NSSI) is a maritime shipping company majority-owned by Inuit entities operating in partnership with Desgagnés Transarctik Inc. (DTI) as the managing partner. The company offers Arctic shipping services to Nunavut communities through an integrated platform comprising online booking systems, rate calculators, and specialized cargo handling. Core offerings include general cargo and fuel transport to 26 Nunavut communities using an ice-class vessel fleet, supplemented by warehousing services through subsidiary Desgagnés Logistik Inc., cargo insurance, and dangerous goods transport. Nunavik services are provided through sister company Taqramut Transport Inc. (TTI), with all operations coordinated by DTI.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Maritime Cargo Transport to Nunavut Annual maritime cargo transportation service delivering general cargo, fuel, vehicles, machinery, and supplies to 26 communities across the three administrative regions of Nunavut, using an ice-class vessel fleet operated by managing partner DTI.
• Cargo Insurance Services Optional maritime cargo insurance coverage for general packaged goods at 0.72$ per 100$ of insured value and vehicles/boats/machinery/trailers/ATV/snowmobile/canoe at 1.38$ per 100$ of insured value, with minimum 50$ premium per shipment and deductibles (1,000$ for general cargo, 2,500$ for vehicles/machinery).
• Dangerous Goods Transport Specialized maritime transport of hazardous materials (dangerous goods) compliant with the IMDG Code and Transport Canada regulations, requiring 15-day advance notice, proper shipping documentation, and additional compliance fees.
• Vehicle and Machinery Transport Specialized rolling cargo transport service for light vehicles, heavy machinery, boats, trailers, ATVs, snowmobiles, and canoes, with specific packaging requirements and a separate (higher) insurance premium tier.
• Terminal Delivery and Cargo Reception Services Cargo delivery, reception, and terminal coordination services at multiple ports including Sainte-Catherine (Quebec, primary hub, open Monday-Friday 8h00-12h00 and 13h00-17h00), Bécancour (bulk cargo), Valleyfield (Quebec), and Churchill (Manitoba, via Arctic Gateway Group partnership), with mandatory 24-48 hour advance appointment scheduling.
• Desgagnés Logistik Warehousing and Cargo Processing Integrated logistics, warehousing, and cargo processing services through subsidiary Desgagnés Logistik Inc., offering 1,000,000+ sq ft of total area including 556,000 sq ft compacted yard and 44,110 sq ft warehouse at Bécancour Port, with cargo processing and containerization capabilities.

Quantifiable outcome

• Serves 26 Nunavut communities and 14 Nunavik communities across the Canadian Arctic
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature1 record

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Desgagnés Transarctik Inc. (DTI)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 April 2000Managing partner of NSSI since incorporation in April 2000. Maritime carrier with decades of Arctic expertise. Holds ISO 9001-2015 and ISO 14001-2015 certifications. Coordinates activities and maintains service standards for the Arctic maritime supply chain.
• Qikiqtaaluk CorporationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerShareholder partner since December 2012/January 2014. Inuit rights-holding corporation created by Qikiqtani Inuit Association, promoting Inuit employment and financial opportunities in the Qikiqtani region of Nunavut.
• Sakku Investments CorporationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerShareholder partner since December 2012/January 2014. Inuit rights-holding corporation belonging to Kivalliq Inuit Association, focused on building a healthy and viable Inuit economy in the Kivalliq region.
• Kitikmeot CorporationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerShareholder partner since January 2014. Inuit rights-holding corporation belonging to Kitikmeot Inuit Association, creating a stable economic base for the Kitikmeot region of Nunavut.
• Arctic Co-operatives LimitedcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPrincipal shareholder of NSSI. Federation of independent cooperatives primarily located in Nunavut communities, representing thousands of Inuit members and generating income for hundreds of families through employment, crafts, furs, and food distribution.
• Taqramut Transport Inc. (TTI)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPartnership between DTI and Fédération des Coopératives du Nouveau Québec (FCNQ) for Nunavik region service. TTI markets maritime transport and related services for 14 Nunavik communities through the FCNQ cooperative network.
• Fédération des Coopératives du Nouveau Québec (FCNQ)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with TTI for Nunavik operations. 14 community cooperative stores in Nunavik act as active partners providing local booking assistance, communications, and cargo tracking support.
• Arctic Gateway Group - Port of ChurchillminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPartnership for Churchill, Manitoba terminal operations serving Manitoba-to-Nunavut cargo routes via rail connection through Thompson terminal.
• Arctic Gateway Freight Services - Thompson TerminalminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorRail terminal partnership for cargo movement from Thompson to Churchill for northern delivery to Nunavut communities.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Fednav Limited: Canada's largest ocean-going dry-bulk carrier with significant Arctic and Northern shipping activity, including sealift and resupply contracts. Operates at much larger scale than NSSI but overlaps in Arctic cargo and ice-class vessel deployment.

Regional players

• Norwegian Coastal Administration / Hurtigruten-style Arctic operators: European Arctic and sub-Arctic coastal/marine logistics operators serving remote communities in Norway, Greenland, and Iceland. Operate analogous resupply and cargo models in ice-affected waters under different regulatory regimes — useful comparable for operating-cost and seasonal economics.
• Oceanex Inc. Operates container/cargo shipping between Montreal and St. John's, Newfoundland, with comparable ice-season operational complexity. Serves remote Canadian coastal communities via scheduled liner service — analogous seasonal-resupply business model in a different region.

Others

• Tidewater Logistics (formerly ECL Group): Provides remote-region marine logistics including barging in the Canadian Arctic and Eastern Canada. Adjacent competitor for project cargo and remote-community resupply contracts with overlapping marine services.
• Groupe Desgagnés (parent of DTI): Maritime group operating tanker and bulk vessels across Eastern Canada and the Arctic; Desgagnés Transarctik is NSSI's managing partner. Highly relevant as the operator effectively running NSSI's vessel operations and providing back-office expertise.

Direct peers

• NEAS Inc. NEAS provides marine transportation and tug/barge services along the Hudson Bay and Hudson Strait corridors serving Kivalliq and Baffin communities. Direct competitor for Nunavut sealift volumes with overlapping geography and similar ice-navigation capability requirements.
• Northern Transportation Company Limited (NTCL): NTCL operates tug-and-barge sealift services into the Northwest Passage serving western Nunavut and the Mackenzie Delta region. Comparable business model of seasonal Arctic resupply under long-term government contracts, with similar capital intensity and customer base.

Emerging players

• Alaska Marine Lines / Lynden Inc. Lynden's Alaska Marine Lines provides scheduled barge service to remote Alaska coastal communities with similar shipper profile (government, native corporations, retailers). Comparable in business model and customer type though operating in U.S. Arctic waters.

Market position

Strengths1 record

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/arcticsealift

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Nunavut Sealink and Supply Inc.