Month: January 2009

Sept-Îles, January 27, 2009 — The Port of Sept-Îles, in the presence of its major partners, the City of Sept-Îles, the Innu Takuaikan Uashat mak Mani-Utenam Band Council, and Destination Sept-Îles Nakauinanu, announced the awarding of a $356,000 contract to Axor Experts-Conseils for detail engineering and the preparation of tender specifications for the cruise ship dock.

Following the preliminary studies begun last May, this new step in engineering efforts will result in the production of final plans for the dock, including cost estimates. It will allow the Port to launch a call for bids for the construction of the dock, which could begin in summer 2009.

With the preliminary engineering phase complete, the Port of Sept-Îles was also proud to unveil the final conceptual plans for the cruise ship dock. The new dock will be located at the Mgr. Blanche wharf and will be able to accommodate ships up to 315 meters long and with a 2,500 passenger capacity. “With an 18 month schedule, this project of almost $20 million is one of the largest infrastructure investments to take place at the Port since work on the Relance wharf in 1986,” declared President and CEO Pierre D. Gagnon.

At the same time, requests for funding from both levels of government to support the cruise ship project are moving forward. All partners have submitted their respective business plans to Canada Economic Development and Quebec’s Ministère du Tourisme. “Working with a three-party financial participation model, we have already confirmed the local contribution from the Port of Sept-Îles, the City, and the Band Council, and are hoping to receive confirmation from the two other levels of government by spring,” said Carol Soucy, Chairman of the Board of the Port of Sept-Îles.

“The arrival of the cruise ships is a great opportunity to diversify our economy. We are proud to see the Port, our greatest development tool, work successfully in close collaboration with its partners to accomplish these major steps towards developing a port of call for cruise ships in the most beautiful bay in the Americas,” declared Sept-Îles mayor Ghislain Lévesque.

“The completion of this major project in partnership with the Port and the City of Sept-Îles helps draw our communities together. Promoting Innu culture through this cruise ship project is a sign of progress in restoring the central role of culture within our own community,” stated Band Council Vice-Chief Mike McKenzie.

“By awarding this cruise ship dock detail engineering contract, we have taken another crucial step toward completing this community project and ensuring its viability,” added Marc Brouillette, Chairman of the Board of Destination Sept-Îles Nakauinanu.

The Port of Sept-Îles is at the forefront of the region’s economy and plays a key role in its development. It generates some $1 billion annually, and creates some 4,000 direct and indirect jobs.

SEPT-ÎLES, January 23, 2009 – The Port of Sept-Îles is pleased to announce that it has renewed its Twin Port agreement originally signed in 1992 with the Port of Vancouver. The ceremony was held today at the Port of Sept-Îles in the presence of Captain Gordon Houston, President & Chief Executive Officer of Port Metro Vancouver, Carol Soucy and Pierre D. Gagnon, respectively Chairman and Chief Executive Officer or the Port of Sept-Îles and other distinguished guests of the Sept-Îles community.

The original agreement was a first among Ports in Canada. For more than fifteen years the Twin Ports have benefited from each others expertise and know how in their respective fields. Over the years, members of each Port have liaised with each other in order to exchange on different avenues such as trade corridors, bulk cargo, the container industry as well as the cruise line market. Promoting the use of short-sea shipping is also at the heart of the sustainable development strategies of both ports in order to support initiatives in the overall reduction of greenhouse gas emissions.

In the past year, both Ports have gone through major changes with the amalgamation of three ports on the west coast to create Port Metro Vancouver and a new modern image for the Port of Sept-Îles. “With these major changes at both Ports, the timing was right to renew our Twin Port Agreement. We wish to continue to share expertise from which the other can benefit and pursue with our shared vision of fostering the growth of our Canadian port system,” declared Captain Gordon Houston and Pierre D. Gagnon.

“Recent studies revealed that maritime transportation might more than double in Canada by 2015. As the two largest bulk ports in Canada, we reaffirm today that our willingness to continue the cooperation and assistance is the right action in order to maximize this growth opportunity for our respective regions,” declared Carol Soucy, Chairman of the Port of Sept-Îles.

The Port of Sept-Îles is in the forefront of the region’s economy and plays a key role in its development. The Port’s annual economic impact has been estimated at $1 billion, with some 4,000 direct and indirect jobs.

SEPT-ÎLES, January 14, 2009—The Port of Sept-Îles is proud to announce that its cargo handling activities increased nearly 6% in 2008—over a million metric tons. That means some 22,621,581 metric tons were handled in 2008 compared to 21,367,838 metric tons during the previous year. Highlights include the fourth consecutive year of business volume growth for the La Relance terminal, with 2,174,863 metric tons handled. Aluminum shipments via the Blue Highway remained steady in 2008 with 490,665 metric tons shipped, representing nearly 90% of Aluminerie Alouette production. Traffic at the Port of Sept-Îles diversified in 2008 thanks to the new railway transshipment center and railcar ferry at La Relance terminal. The Georges Alexandre Lebel railcar ferry made over 30 trips during the year, transporting over 30,000 metric tons of goods for our major industries.

“The inauguration of a railway transshipment center served by the Georges-Alexandre Lebel railcar ferry last November marked a major milestone in the Port’s history by providing new infrastructure for our industry, our region, and our projects in the North,” said Port of Sept-Îles CEO Pierre D. Gagnon, adding, “We live in an age where climate change forces us to reduce our environmental footprint by adopting better practices. This new service arrives just in time. By combining more energy efficient sea and rail transportation methods, we can reduce greenhouse gas emissions and provide an alternative to an already overcrowded Highway 138.”

“The success of this project undoubtedly rests on the invaluable assistance provided by the Port’s main users and COPIC (Corporation de promotion industrielle et commerciale de Sept-Îles) over the last fifteen years,” stated board chair Carol Soucy. “In particular, I wish to mention Wabush Mines’ extraordinary initiative in allowing the Port to be linked to their network. This is a testament to the mining company’s desire to support the success and development of the local economy and industry,” he added.

The Port of Sept-Îles is in the forefront of the region’s economy and plays a key role in its development. The Port’s annual economic impact has been estimated at $1 billion, with some 4,000 direct and indirect jobs.

SEPT-ÎLES, January 9, 2009—Flying a Belgian flag, the M/V Lowlands Orchid was the first ship of the year to dock at the Port of Sept-Îles, arriving from Koper, Slovenia at 11:00 p.m., January 8, 2009. Once her cargo is unloaded, the vessel will set off again for Beilun, China on January 10, 2009, with a cargo of 165,000 metric tons of iron ore from the Iron Ore Company of Canada (IOC).

During a brief ceremony on board ship, Captain Acosta Monis was awarded the prestigious gold-headed cane representing the Port of Sept-Îles by Carol Soucy and Pierre D. Gagnon, respectively Chairman and President Chief Executive Officer of the Port of Sept-Îles.

Jean Masse of the City of Sept-Îles and IOC’s Robert Girardin and Patrice Tremblay also offered gifts.

This tradition, now in its 22rd year, celebrates the arrival of the first ship of the year to dock at the Port of Sept-Îles. To be eligible, the vessel must arrive from another country and leave for a destination outside Canada.

The Port of Sept-Îles is at the forefront of the region’s economy and plays a key role in its development. The Port’s annual economic impact has been estimated at $1 billion, with some 4,000 direct and indirect jobs.