CTV News: Researchers highlight risks in expanding shipping routes in the Arctic

September 25, 2025 —

For centuries, ice has covered Hudson Bay for most of the year. Now researchers at the University of Manitoba say climate change is melting the ice at an unprecedented rate, opening the door for more ships to pass through for longer periods throughout the year.

For the town of Churchill, in northern Manitoba, this brings a lot of opportunity but there are fears it could also have environmental consequences. “We’re not just observant based, we’re actually doing studies to address challenges, issues associated with a rapidly opening Hudson Bay,” said Dr. Feiyue Wang, Professor and Canada Research Chair (Tier 1) Department of Environment and Geography
and Centre for Earth Observation Science and Director of the CMO. “With increasing shipping and development in the region, you have an increasing risk of oil spills.”

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arctic centre for earth observation science, Arctic Research, churchill marine observatory, Port of Churchill

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Ice has been shrinking in Hudson Bay, making it navigable to ships for about five months a year, or about one month more than in the 1980s, said Dr. Feiyue Wang, Professor and Canada Research Chair (Tier 1) at the Department of Environment and Geography and Centre for Earth Observation Science, University of Manitoba.

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