SEPT-ÎLES, January 21, 2015 – The Port of Sept-Îles was pleased today to deliver the results for the year that just ended—an unforgettable year that marked the local port authority’s 15th anniversary. All through the year numerous community collaborators, organizations, partners, and supporters took part in programming a fabulous array of anniversary activities. The port authority took every opportunity to strengthen its ties to the local community, including service as honorary patron of a special “Safe Harbour for All” edition of Vieux-Quai en Fête and hosting some 4,000 guests for Maritime Week, with a launch by the governor general of Canada, His Excellency the Right Honourable David Johnston.
The acquisition by the Port of Sept-Îles of Mylène Paquette’s famous rowboat the Hermel and Paquette’s participation in the 5th annual “5 à Huîtres maritime” were two more high points of this 15th anniversary year. The Port acquired this priceless artifact of Paquette’s achievement in April to serve as a symbol and attraction for travellers to the area and in the Port’s maritime educational activities.
Activities Report
Annual results unfortunately showed activity at the Port down 14% at some 23.8 million tons handled, compared to 27.7 million tons the previous year. The permanent closure of the Wabush Scully Mine in February and the suspension of operations at Labrador Iron Mines due to slumping iron markets are the principal culprits.
The 2014 year saw completion of construction on the $220 million multi-user dock, which coincided with Prime Minister Stephen Harper’s visit in October.
The local spinoff effects of Canada’s biggest maritime construction project must also be mentioned, as close to 70% of jobs were filled by local workers and local goods and services procurement was in the tens of millions of dollars.
Operational delivery of the dock is slated for spring with the arrival and installation of two ship loaders in Q1 2015. “There’s never been a better time for the dock to open,” declared Port of Sept-Îles president and CEO Pierre Gagnon. “Its size and capacity, unequalled in North America, will mean significant economies of scale for new players in the iron industry, urgently needed in the current depressed market conditions”.
Thanks
The Port of Sept-Îles would like to salute and thank the numerous collaborators to which these 15th anniversary celebrations owe their resounding success: the NCSM Jolliet, the City of Sept-Îles, the team at Vieux-Quai en Fête, Destination Sept-Îles Nakauinanu, all the community businesses and organizations, and all the many volunteers. Thank you for making the events of the 15th anniversary of your local Port of Sept-Îles port authority wonderful and memorable!
ABOUT THE PORT OF SEPT-ÎLES
Boasting diverse, state-of-the-art facilities, the Port of Sept-Îles is North America’s leading ore-handling port, with an annual volume of close to 25 million tons. It plays a vital and strategic role in the economy of Eastern Canada. Annual economic impacts are estimated at nearly $1 billion and nearly 4,000 direct and indirect jobs.