Government of Canada contributes $4.5 M to optimize Pointe-Noire dock at Port of Sept-Îles

SEPT-ÎLES, July 20, 2009 – The Port of Sept-Îles is proud to announce the signing of a financial partnership with the federal government to optimize the Pointe-Noire dock, which is used for the operations of Wabush Mines. The sum of $4.5 million was granted through the Infrastructure Stimulus Fund, which provides funding for the rehabilitation and construction of provincial, municipal, and community infrastructure projects. The announcement was made today in the presence of Denis Lebel, Minister of State (Economic Development Agency for the Regions of Quebec), as well as representatives of Wabush Mines and other Sept-Îles dignitaries.

The project to optimize the Pointe-Noire dock represents an outlay of $9,070,000. It will mainly consist of a 50 meter extension to docking station no. 30, with the addition of a pile dolphin at its end, as well as structural reinforcement and rehabilitation of the dock’s concrete deck. The dock extension work will begin once environmental approvals, which are expected in early August, are granted. The work is scheduled for completion by late 2010.

The Pointe-Noire dock was acquired from Wabush Mines in 1998. Over the last ten years, the Port of Sept-Îles has invested more than $10 million in the structure. This new funding will boost business at the dock by providing greater berthing capacity for Wabush Mines and future users, and ensuring that the dock has a longer service life.

“With the anticipated start-up of new iron mines in Northern Québec, these investments are a first step in preparing for the expected growth in iron ore shipments in the coming years. They are key to fully optimizing the potential of the Pointe-Noire dock before going ahead with the addition of new infrastructures,” stated Pierre D. Gagnon, President and CEO of the Port of Sept-Îles.

“The federal government is giving us the means to meet the growing needs of our current and future users, which is essential for future development at the Port of Sept-Îles. I join the port community members and local stakeholders in applauding the federal government for this initiative under the Infrastructure Stimulus Fund, which will help us meet the needs of a rapidly growing market,” added Carol Soucy, Chairman of the Board.

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

Groundbreaking ceremony – Construction work begins at the cruise ship dock

Sept-Îles, July 8, 2009 – The Port of Sept-Îles team, in the presence of a number of its partners, including Mr. Ghislain Lévesque, mayor of the City of Sept-Îles, Mr. Georges-Ernest Grégoire, chief of the Innu Takuaikan Uashat mak Mani-Utenam Band Council, and Mr. Claude Parent of Pomerleau, proudly announced the official launch of construction of the Cruise Ship Dock today at a groundbreaking ceremony.

The Pomerleau construction company was awarded the $18.2 million contract to build a dock at the far end of the Mgr. Blanche wharf to accommodate ships up to 315 meters long and carrying up to 2,500 passengers. This major project, which will take 18 months to complete and be ready by fall 2010, will be one of the biggest investments ever in Port facilities since the construction of the La Relance wharf in 1986.

Attracting international cruise ships to Sept-Îles has required nearly $30 million in investments in three separate areas port facility enhancement, improvements to tourism facilities in Sept-Îles, and the creation of tourism facilities in the Innu community. Funding for construction of the wharf was recently secured with the May 19 announcement that both the federal and provincial governments would back the project to the tune of $6.6 million and $6.4 million respectively. The remaining funds will come from the Port, the City of Sept-Îles, and the Band Council.

“After joining local residents in celebrating the arrival of the first international cruise ship to visit Sept-Îles – Holland America Line Inc’s MS Maasdam – we are very pleased to officially break ground and begin what is sure to make Sept-Îles a premier stop on the St. Lawrence River in the coming years,” stated Port of Sept-Îles Chair of the Board of Directors Carol Soucy and President and CEO Pierre D. Gagnon.

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 and generates some 4,000 direct and indirect jobs.