Month: October 2014

SEPT-ÎLES, October 24, 2014 – With regard to the legal mortgage filed by Pomerleau Inc., the Port of Sept-Îles wishes to declare that this action will have no impact.

Legally, under the constitution of the Port of Sept-Îles as a Canadian port authority, the land and property under its management and administration cannot be subjected to any legal mortgage because of its status of federal property.

Furthermore, the Port of Sept-Îles strongly disputes any additional sums claimed by Pomerleau Inc., above and beyond the contract amount, for additional expenses that it may have incurred. Following analysis of the situation, these appear to have actually resulted from the contractor’s lack of foresight and from operational issues for which it is responsible.

As a result, the Port has asked its lawyers to explore the possibility of filing its own claim against the contractor for delays at the site. Since the matter is now in the hands of its attorneys, the Port of Sept-Îles will make no further comment.

ABOUT THE PORT OF SEPT-ÎLES

Boasting a variety of state-of-the-art facilities, the Port of Sept-Îles is the leading iron ore port in North America, with an annual volume close to 30 million tons. Sept-Îles’s port facilities play a vital and strategic role in Eastern Canada’s economy. The Port’s annual economic impact is estimated at nearly $1 billion, with some 4,000 direct and indirect jobs.

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SEPT-ÎLES, October 14, 2014 – In a day that has seen announcements from two levels of government, the Port of Sept-Îles is pleased to announce today that Prime Minister Stephen Harper visited the worksite of the new multi-user dock, which has reached a significant milestone with the completion of civil engineering works.

Prime Minister Harper was accompanied by the Honourable Denis Lebel, Canada’s Minister of Infrastructure, Communities and Intergovernmental Affairs and Minister of the Economic Development Agency of Canada for the Regions of Quebec, and Jean D’Amour, Quebec’s Minister for Transport and the Implementation of the Maritime Strategy.

The construction phase of the multi-user dock, widely considered the largest maritime construction project in Canada, is now complete. All that remains is to install loading equipment. The $220 million construction project was made possible by a 25% contribution from the federal government under the Gateways and Border Crossings Fund. Of the remaining 75%, private dock users Alderon Iron Ore, Champion Iron Mines, Labrador Iron Mines, New Millenium, and Tata Steel Canada contributed 50%, while the Port of Sept-Îles covered the other 25%.

“Federal government funding was pivotal in helping us bring the five new dock users on board as financial partners,” noted Carol Soucy, Chair of the Sept-Îles Port Authority Board of Directors. “By contributing to this project, which will have a huge impact in the region and all of Eastern Canada, the government has sent a clear message of strong support towards our region.”

The construction site will be closed by late October. Two shiploaders, currently in the final fabrication phases in China, are expected to be delivered in January and installed in early 2015. The multi-user dock is slated to open around early summer 2015.

“This strategic facility will pave the way for future development in the region and the Labrador Trough,” noted Sept-Îles Port Authority President and CEO Pierre D. Gagnon. “The dock will be able to service the world’s largest bulk carriers, known as “Chinamax” class vessels—the way of the future for bulk shipping. Thanks to their operational efficiency and larger capacity, these ships will help reduce greenhouse gas emissions and the number of ships moored in the bay.”

The dock is also a powerful driver of regional employment, both during and after construction. Nearly 1,000 jobs were created during the two years of construction, and 70% of them were filled by local workers. Once the dock is in service, it will create 150 to 200 new local jobs in such areas as railway transport, handling, and stockpiling. There will also be 2,500 to 3,000 new jobs in the mining sector as new mining companies set up operations since the delivery of the new shipping facility.

ABOUT THE PORT OF SEPT-ÎLES

Boasting a variety of state-of-the-art facilities, the Port of Sept-Îles is the leading iron ore port in North America, with an annual volume of nearly 30 million tons. Sept-Îles’s port facilities play a vital and strategic role in Eastern Canada’s economy. The Port’s annual economic impact is estimated at nearly $1 billion, with some 4,000 direct and indirect jobs.

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SEPT-ÎLES, October 6, 2014 – The Port of Sept-Îles and event partners are thrilled by the resounding success of the second edition of Maritime Week, part of the celebrations marking the 15th anniversary of the local port authority. Nearly 4,000 people took part.

Two port days on the weekend of October 4 and 5 drew over 1,200 to wind up the week of enriching activities. The crowds had a chance to gather under the bigtop and get to know the main industries and organizations that make up the region’s maritime community and witness the first public appearance of Ms. Mylène Paquette’s celebrated oceangoing rowboat, the Hermel.

The opening of the festivities was held in the presence of guests of honour Their Excellencies the Right Honourable David Johnston, Governor General of Canada, and Ms. Sharon Johnston, who then cut the traditional ribbon.

“Early in the week, we were treated to the arrival of three cruise ships in three days,” said Destination Sept-Îles Nakauinanu (DSIN) Executive Director, Mr. Mario Sévigny. “That gave us a chance to show off Sept-Îles’ legendary hospitality, and we pulled it off magnificently. Working together, our many exhibitors and Destination Sept-Îles Nakauinanu partners welcomed over 2,500 passengers and crew members.”

“This event was a huge success, thanks to the generous contributions of over twenty exhibitors, including local businesses, organisations, and artisans as well as the many individuals who lent their talents, and we are very grateful to all of them,” said Director of Corporate Affairs, Ms. Patsy Keays.

“The tremendous involvement of the community was truly outstanding, as was the invaluable support of the NCSM Jolliet Naval Reserve and the City of Sept-Îles,” stated President and CEO, Mr. Pierre D. Gagnon. “Everything came together to make our Maritime Week unforgettable.”

ABOUT THE PORT OF SEPT-ÎLES

Boasting a variety of state-of-the-art facilities, the Port of Sept-Îles is the leading iron ore port in North America, with an annual volume close to 30 million tons. Sept-Îles’ port facilities play a vital and strategic role in the economy of Eastern Canada. The Port’s annual economic impact is estimated at nearly $1 billion, with nearly 4,000 direct and indirect jobs.

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