RE: Thanks for the info Chauncey...I wonder if the limited open time is due to lack of goods to ship (ie grain) or if the port cannot actually function for more than 3-4 months..

--I have been to Churchill a couple of times as I once lived in northern Manitoba and not too far from Churchill by train. The town would dearly love to be able to have the port open longer and there would be goods available to ship. It is cost effective to ship grain grown on the Canadian prairies through Churchill rather than Thunder Bay. So, the grain producers do send as much as possible through Churchill but end up having to use Thunder Bay as well. The port could stay open longer with the use of ice breakers but that must certainly cut heavily into the savings achieved by companies utilizing this port. It is not just the ice conditions near Churchill but the shipping lanes through the Arctic to get there that become unpassable. It is an interesting place. Polar bears, no trees, and it can be below zero in summer if the wind is blowing in from the Bay. But, it is also beautiful if you look at it properly. I think Thunder Bay is the best option to ship ore from the ROF. Cheers