Marine Transportation Services announces 2025 cargo rates

May 8, 2025

Marine Transportation Services (MTS) has set its cargo rates for customers for the 2025 sailing season, with a focus on simplifying and standardizing pricing.

Key changes for 2025 include:

• General rate adjustment: All general cargo rates have been adjusted for the annual Consumer Price Index (CPI).
• Simplified rate structure: Category-specific rates have been removed. All cargo will now be billed under the general cargo rate, based on the actual size and weight of the shipment.
  • In previous seasons, MTS used a quantity billing system whereby, for example, all snowmobiles would have been charged at the same rate regardless of size and weight. In 2025, customers will be billed by revenue tonne, meaning that those shipping smaller snowmobiles will pay less than those shipping larger snowmobiles.
• Standardized container pricing: Rates for containerized cargo are now based on standard exterior container dimensions of 20 feet long by 8 feet wide by 8 feet 6 inches high, ensuring consistency and pricing transparency.
  • This change of approximately 4% on containers only will correct historical undercharging for this category. It was previously based on a smaller, inaccurate container size.

These updates are designed to streamline the billing system and make it more equitable for all MTS customers.

Cut-off dates for cargo acceptance will be announced at a later date. To ensure the success of the 2025 sailing season, MTS staff are developing contingency plans on potential obstacles to operations and working with the hydrology team at the Department of Environment and Climate Change to monitor water levels.

For media requests, please contact:

Infrastructure Communications
Department of Infrastructure
Government of the Northwest Territories
INF_Communications@gov.nt.ca

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