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SEPT-ÎLES, October 19, 2018 – The Port of Sept-Îles wishes to advise that activities at the Pointe-aux-Basques terminal are being halted immediately for an undetermined length of time.

This regrettable situation has arisen in response to expert opinions obtained this week on the 65‑year‑old wharf’s deteriorating infrastructure and the evolving conditions.

The Port and its consultants have been monitoring the wharf closely for a number of years to prolong its use. As of 2016, load‑limiting barriers were installed on the wharf deck and operational restrictions were introduced.

Now that wharf operations have been completely halted, the Port wishes to assure Pointe-aux-Basques users that it will provide all the necessary assistance to minimize the impacts of the closure and is committed to helping them make alternate arrangements.

The Port and Relais Nordik Inc., which ferries people and goods between villages along the Lower North Shore aboard the Bella Desgagnés, have already agreed to apply their contingency plan. The ship’s maintenance and loading activities will therefore be moved to the cruise ship wharf at the Monseigneur‑Blanche terminal.

It should be noted that the Port, with support from its users, has been requesting financial assistance from both the provincial and federal governments since 2016 and has been standing ready to proceed with its upgrades to the wharf as soon as that funding is made available. The necessary tenders and environmental authorizations have been obtained and finalized. Unfortunately the Port is still waiting for the funds needed to complete the financial package.

Given the terminal’s strategic importance for the Lower North Shore and as a supply point and gateway for goods coming in and out of the region and the interior, the Port remains confident that financial assistance for the $20 million project will not be held up much longer.

“The federal and provincial governments have always supported development at the Port,” said Pierre D. Gagnon, President and CEO of the Port of Sept-Îles. “Given its strategic importance for the Côte‑Nord, we’re sure they’ll step in with the necessary funding so that we can get the wharf restored.”

ABOUT THE PORT OF SEPT-ÎLES

Boasting diverse, state-of-the-art facilities, the Port of Sept-Îles is North America’s largest ore-handling port, with an expected volume of more than 30 million tons in 2018. The port facilities at Sept-Îles play a vital and strategic role in the economy of Eastern Canada. Annual economic impacts are estimated at nearly $1 billion and almost 4,000 direct and indirect jobs.

 

Source:

Patsy Keays
Director, Corporate Affairs
Port of Sept-Îles
418 961-1235
pkeays@portsi.com

SEPT-ÎLES, September 14, 2018 – The Port of Sept-Îles is very pleased to have acquired 17 works by local artist Jean-Pier Synnott this week. The pieces are made entirely of metal scraps and feature animals, whimsical characters, and even an entire underwater scene. They are already installed and on view to the general public along the cruise ship dock at Monseigneur Blanche Terminal.

A selection of Jean‑Pier Synnott’s works were exhibited last year at the Monseigneur Blanche Terminal during a visit from the Queen Mary 2. The enthusiastic response and positive feedback generated by the one‑day exhibition led the Port to acquire the works and put them on permanent display at the wharf. The acquisition comes just in time for cruise ship season and will make a fine addition to the arts and culture scene for both passengers and locals from Sept-Îles and area.

The current presentation of the artworks is temporary. A permanent exhibition will be devised in collaboration with Destination Sept-Îles Nakauinanu and Musée régional de la Côte-Nord. The final form will be unveiled in 2019 for the Port Authority’s 20th anniversary.

“We wanted to share Jean‑Pier’s unique creations with the general public,” explained Port president and CEO Pierre Gagnon. “That’s why we decided to use the Monseigneur Blanche Terminal as a window into the delightfully imaginary world of this ever-popular local artist. Everyone is invited to come down and discover his talents. His artistic creations are truly a local treasure.”

ABOUT JEAN-PIER SYNNOTT

Jean‑Pier Synnott is an industrial welder by trade who has been passionate about sculpting from an early age. He has been assembling and breathing new life into scrap industrial materials for 20 years. The woods behind his house are dotted with over 100 of his sculptures.

ABOUT THE PORT OF SEPT-ÎLES

Boasting diverse, state-of-the-art facilities, the Port of Sept-Îles is North America’s largest ore-handling port, with an expected volume of more than 30 million tons in 2018. The port facilities at Sept-Îles play a vital and strategic role in the economy of Eastern Canada. Annual economic impacts are estimated at nearly $1 billion and almost 4,000 direct and indirect jobs.

 

Source:

Patsy Keays
Director, Corporate Affairs
Port of Sept-Îles
418 961-1235
pkeays@portsi.com

SAINT JOHN, NB, September 6 2018 — With the announcement of the Ports Modernization Review by Transport Canada in March of this year, the national port system and its 18 Canada Port Authorities find themselves at an important point in their evolution with regards to their operations, how they do business, their relationships with the federal government, their communities and First Nations people. This year’s 60th annual conference will tackle many important topics addressed in the review through engaging keynote speakers and panelists from around the world.

The review comes at an opportune time as the world of marine transport and supply chain logistics continues to evolve at a break neck pace. Key decisions will be made over the next year that will continue to improve Canada’s capabilities as a trading nation and Canada’s ports look forward to being important players in developing the best way to get there.

Canada’s 18 Port Authorities are more than just key connection points on rapidly developing transport corridors — they shape and define the economic development and diversity of their cities and their regions. They create good jobs, are the stable foundations of a thriving middle class and will be instrumental in all future trade deals. Fittingly, “Building for the Future” will be the theme of the 60th Diamond Anniversary annual conference of the Association of Canadian Port Authorities, happening September 10th to 13th in Saint John New Brunswick.

“On behalf of my Board and our team at Port Saint John, we are pleased to be hosting our national ports association at Canada’s third busiest, where together with our stakeholders and community, we are building for the future”, says Jim Quinn, President and Chief Executive Officer of Port Saint John. “The timing of this conference is perfect to showcase both our $205 million modernization project of our West Side multiple purpose cargo terminal, and our position as one of Canada’s premier cruise destinations.”

In Saint John, delegates will hear from speakers about “ports of the future” and how we get there, with an emphasis on economic, environmental and social themes as they relate to Canada’s ports and shipping community. Sessions of note include “Port City, Lucky City”, “Developing Resilient Ports in the Face of Climate Change”, “Ports Role in a Sustainable Future” and “Increasing Canada’s Market Share in the Cruise Sector”.

Delegates will also get to experience the 3rd largest port in Canada by volume, and down-home Maritime hospitality.

“ACPA is excited to be bringing in some of the best minds in the marine industry together to tackle cutting edge topics facing the port industry today,” says Wendy Zatylny, President of the Association of Canadian Port Authorities.

Follow the Association of Canadian Port Authorities Annual Conference on Twitter @ACPA_AAPC #ACPA2018. For more information, please visit www.acpa2018.ca.

About the Association of Canadian Port Authorities

Founded in 1958, the Association of Canadian Port Authorities brings together 18 ports and related marine interests into one national association. As the leading Association for the advocacy and advancement of Canada’s port industry — representing all Canadian Port Authorities, various government entities and companies doing business in the marine sector — ACPA is the champion for Canadian ports in matters related to government policy, trade, competitiveness and public awareness in order to improve sustainable transportation.

ACPA members contribute significantly to the local, regional and national economy of Canada, responsible for nearly a quarter of a million direct and indirect jobs, have donated more than $22 million to their local communities (2010-2014), receive more than 1.3 million cruise ship passengers and contributing over $53 billion in total economic activity.

Source :

Mike Pitre
Manager, Communications
Association of Canadian Port Authorities
Cell: 613-407-7486
Office: 613-232-2036, poste 203
Email: mpitre@acpa-port.net
www.acpa-ports.net

Sept-Îles, June 16, 2016 – Today the City of Sept-Îles and the Port of Sept-Îles announced work would start on Phase III of the Environmental Observatory for the Bay of Sept-Îles. This major study is being conducted by INREST research institute for northern environment and occupational health.

INREST will study various topics in this third phase, including:

• Physiochemical and microbiological water characterization
• Sediment characterization and particle size
• Zostera, seaweed, and zooplancton
• Further research on existing reports and/or data including marine currents, sediment dumps, ice covers, municipal and industrial dumps, and marine mammals

Work on Phase III will take place over two years during the spring, summer, and fall of 2016 and 2017, ending with a report to be published in 2018.

This third phase of research will cost an estimated $650,000. One-third of the project will be funded through a major partnership with Société du Plan Nord. Aluminerie Alouette, the Iron Ore Company of Canada, Mine Arnaud, New Millennium Iron, and Tata Steel Minerals Canada are contributing another third. The Port of Sept-Îles and the City of Sept-Îles will cover the final third of the cost.

The Port and the City of Sept-Îles are pleased and proud to bring Société du Plan Nord and major Sept-Îles companies on board for this unique forward-looking project. “Thanks to their contributions, we can continue with this very important step for the region. This broad partnership is very beneficial and enriches the process,” agreed Sept-Îles mayor Réjean Porlier and Port of Sept-Îles president and CEO Pierre Gagnon.

About the Environmental Observatory for the Bay of Sept-Îles

Launched in 2013, the Environmental Observatory for the Bay of Sept-Îles is an innovative method for characterizing the bay ecosystem and testifies to the determination of the partners involved to work together on environmental and sustainable development issues. The initiative aims to provide an overall picture of the bay and develop a monitoring tool for the future.

Sources:

Patsy Keays
Director, Corporate Affairs
Port of Sept-Îles
Tél. : 418 961-1235

Amélie Robillard
Communications Advisor
City of Sept-Îles
Tél. : 418 964-3344

For interviews:

City of Sept-Îles
Réjean Porlier, Mayor
Tél. : 418 964-3211

Port of Sept-Îles
Pierre D. Gagnon, President and CEO
Tél. : 418 968-1231, poste 223

INREST
Dr. Julie Carrière, Director and Researcher
Tél. : 418 962-9848, poste 369

Sept-Îles, May 1, 2015 – This morning, the City of Sept-Îles, Corporation de protection de l’environnement de Sept-Îles, Développement économique Sept-Îles, and the Port of Sept-Îles submitted the Phase I report of the Environmental Observatory for the Bay of Sept-Îles, which was conducted by INREST research institute for northern environment and occupational health, a non-profit organization whose sole mission is to manage the environment and occupational health research unit at Cégep de Sept-Îles.

“I’m pleased that the first annual monitoring report has been submitted since the observatory was created in the fall of 2013,” said Sept-Îles mayor Réjean Porlier. “This is a testament to the determination of the partners involved to work together on environmental and sustainable development issues. In the medium term, this initiative will give the community a comprehensive overview of the bay.”

“This initial phase and subsequent phases will integrate the objectives pursued by Green Marine,” added Pierre D. Gagnon, president and CEO of the Port of Sept-Îles. “It will help protect our valuable marine ecosystems and ensure responsible planning based on sustainable development values. This innovative initiative reflects the environmental leadership of our community.”

From the beginning, the stakeholders agreed to entrust the project to INREST in order to foster scientific knowledge within the community and to ensure the research is carried out methodically and with the expertise it requires.

“The scientific integrity and professional ethics of the team members were upheld throughout the project,” said Dr. Julie Carrière, director of INREST and an engineer and researcher. “The data in the report is representative of existing environmental conditions we observed during sampling at selected locations and times.”

Work

The work carried out in 2013 was the first step in collecting data that will make it possible to obtain a preliminary overview of the environmental quality in the fall. Methodology:

• Sixty (60) water samples were collected and tested in the laboratory, and seventy-five (75) temperature, salinity, conductivity, and dissolved oxygen readings were taken.
• Twenty-five (25) sediment samples were collected and tested in the laboratory.

Conclusion

• All the water quality parameters analyzed meet the standards and criteria in force.
• We noted three sulfates that exceed the reference value.
• A thorough analysis of the bacteria present in the effluents and in the marine environment must be carried out.
• No samples exceeded sediment quality standards.
• Only certain criteria levels for the quality of marine sediment in Quebec were exceeded, including levels for certain polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and certain metals. These criteria are the rare effect level (REL) and/or threshold effect level (TEL) and/or occasional effect level (OEL).

Recommendations

• In future sampling campaigns, data should also be collected in the spring and summer.
• Certain recommendations have been or will be made for upcoming campaigns, including:
• Analysis of metals and suspended solids in water
• Sediment particle size
• Two additional sampling stations for each type of analysis (water and sediment)
• The City of Sept-Îles and local industries were invited to set certain parameters for the sampling of their discharge points, as well as to provide their past data and any future data they may collect

“INREST told us that there is nothing disconcerting about the initial fall results, but that the preliminary data is incomplete. The observatory project is evolving and will be updated based on further sampling campaigns and available budgets,” said Sept-Îles mayor Réjean Porlier.

The report is available online at www.baie.septiles.ca. The public can submit questions by completing the questionnaire provided for this purpose by Sunday, May 31, 2015. After that date, all questions received will be compiled and the answers published on this site. The response time will be determined once the number and complexity of questions received has been assessed. The report will also be available on the Port of Sept-Îles and INREST websites. Paper versions are available for on-site consultation at the Louis-Ange-Santerre Library, the Wilfrid-Gallienne Centre in Moisie, and the Marguerite Community Centre in Gallix.

Follow-up

Phase II of the project, which was completed in the fall of 2014, took into account the observations from the first phase. The annual monitoring report should be available in the fall of 2015. Phase II required an investment of nearly $170,000.

Phase III will require an investment of nearly $250,000. The project partners have sought funding from the Government of Quebec and major industries that benefit from the valuable Bay of Sept-Îles ecosystem.

In addition to providing an environmental overview, the project seeks to:

• Update and consolidate data and metrics on the bay’s environment
• Produce an annual monitoring report drawing on data processed by INREST
• Assess the bay’s capacity to accommodate acceptable projects that are safe for people and the environment
• Help existing businesses improve their environmental performance, as warranted
• Measure the results of conservation and environmental improvement efforts in the Bay of Sept-Îles

Phase I required an investment of nearly $385,000, which was shared by various partners and sponsors: Développement économique Sept-Îles invested $50,000, and the Port of Sept-Îles and Corporation de protection de l’environnement each invested $167,126.50.

For more information about Green Marine, visit the website www.green-marine.org.

SEPT-ÎLES, March 26, 2018 – The Port of Sept-Îles is very pleased to announce the arrival of the first shipat the multiuser dock at 8 a.m. Sunday morning. The MV Magnus Oldendorff will sail for Qingdao, China, with a shipment of 196,000 tonnes of iron ore concentrate from Quebec Iron Ore.

”The entire Port team has joined together to undertake this exciting new chapter in the commissioning of the largest shiploaders in North America. We expect, as is normal, that ship arrivals in April and May will enable us to fine-tune the equipment and handling systems. The same will go for training for Port employees and key partners involved in commissioning the new facility—Société ferroviaire et portuaire de Pointe-Noire (SFPPN) and Logistec Stevedoring,” said Carl Allard, Asset Manager at the Port of Sept-Îles.

”Today’s opening by Société du Plan Nord of the new SFPPN conveyor also provides an opportunity to stress how this vital investment will benefit users. The new link between the storage facilities and the multiuser dock will deliver access to this new world-class facility without the cost users would otherwise have to assume. Another important point is that the project has benefited from the close partnership between SFPPN and the Port. It includes a $2.4 million investment by the Port to complete the conveyor tower,” said Port President & CEO Pierre D. Gagnon.

INAUGURAL EVENT

An event marking the commissioning of the biggest port terminal in North America is currently being organized in collaboration with key industry and government partners. The Port of Sept-Îles will officially celebrate this historical milestone before summer arrives in the company of dignitaries and guests from the community, industry, and government.

ABOUT THE PORT OF SEPT-ÎLES

Boasting diverse, state-of-the-art facilities, the Port of Sept-Îles is one of North America’s largest ore-handling ports, with a projected volume of more than 30 million tonnes for 2018. The port facilities at Sept-Îles play a vital and strategic role in the economy of Eastern Canada. Annual economic impacts are estimated at nearly $1 billion and almost 4,000 direct and indirect jobs.

Source:
Patsy Keays, Director, Corporate Affairs
Port of Sept-Îles
pkeays@portsi.com
418 961-1235

SEPT-ÎLES, March 6, 2018 – The Port of Sept-Îles is partnering with Les Arts et La Ville for its 31st annual symposium, which will be held in Sept-Îles from June 6 to 8, by funding an incentive to encourage cultural stakeholders in the area to participate in this major event. As a result of this partnership, 20 artists and cultural organization representatives from Sept-Îles will get a preferential rate when they register for the symposium.

“The Port of Sept-Îles is proud to be involved in this event,” said Pierre D. Gagnon, President and CEO of Port of Sept-Îles. “We’re helping members of the Sept-Îles cultural community take part in these topical and enriching discussions and meet participants from across the province. It’s sure to nourish the cultural vitality of our community.”

Sept-Îles Mayor Réjean Porlier is encouraging local cultural stakeholders to come out in force to the Les Arts et La Ville symposium: “It’s not every day that we get the chance to reflect together on cultural issues and exchange ideas with stakeholders from across Quebec. We often face the same challenges, and this is the chance to get creative and feed off each other’s ideas to solve them. It’s contagious!”

How to take advantage of the incentive

To get the preferential rate, professional artists and artists in the process of professionalization living in Sept-Îles as well as representatives of cultural and arts organizations headquartered in Sept-Îles should contact cultural officer Pascale Malenfant at pascale.malenfant@ville.sept-iles.qc.ca. The first 20 eligible individuals to contact Ms. Malenfant will receive a promotional code they can use when they register online at www.arts-ville.org.

Registration begins on March 6 and ends on May 20. The full symposium program is available online on the Les Arts et La Ville network’s website.

 

Sources:

Amélie Robillard
Communications Advisor
Ville de Sept-Îles
Tel. 418 964-3344

Patsy Keays
Director, Corporate Affairs
Port of Sept-Îles
Tel. 418 961-1235

SEPT-ÎLES, January 17, 2018 – The Port of Sept-Îles is pleased to announce a nearly 6% increase in the volume handled in the port with 24,231,000 tons handled in 2017 versus 22,942,000 tons the previous year. This growth is chiefly due to increased iron ore shipments from IOC Rio Tinto, Tata Steel Minerals Canada, and Société ferroviaire et portuaire de Pointe-Noire (SFPPN).

THE YEAR IN REVIEW

The year got off to a good start with long-term agreements signed between the Port and SFPPN a few weeks earlier ensuring the full potential for Pointe-Noire’s future development, specifically the arrangement giving priority to the connection to the multi-user dock.

In April, Société du Plan Nord, Tata Steel Minerals Canada, and Minerai de fer Québec Inc. (MFQ), a subsidiary of Champion, agreed to form a limited partnership to mutually determine shared operational and investment costs. This approach is based on the model introduced by the Port in 2012 for the multi-user dock.

In July, the Port concluded agreements that enable SFPPN to begin building a conveyor system connecting the multi-user dock to its storage sites. The work involved the Port contributing $2.4 million to the estimated $15 million project. The contract was awarded to local contractor Groupe G7.

In the same month, the Port and Champion Iron Mines Limited (Champion) finalized agreements to settle their contractual dispute, conditional on closure of the financing required to resume operations at the Bloom Lake mining site. This important step occurred in October and led to Champion paying all sums due to the Port at the end of the year.

The Quebec government’s November announcement of $26.2 million in funding for MFQ’s relaunch of Bloom Lake operations made the mine’s reopening official and opened the door to prospective shipments to the multi-user dock starting in the first quarter of 2018.

The year ended on a positive note with the closing of important agreements geared toward easing contractual obligations for mining company partners of the multi-user dock that have not yet begun operations, namely New Millennium, Alderon, and Champion subsidiary MFQ.

In terms of cruises, we could not overlook such a fantastic year with five cruise ships and eight tall ships bringing some 8,000 passengers and crew members to experience Sept-Îles. The unexpected arrival of the prestigious RMS Queen Mary 2 with just two weeks’ notice rallied the whole community, superbly demonstrating each invaluable local partner’s ability to respond with panache to the biggest challenge our port of call has ever experienced.

“In short, 2017 was marked by fruitful, ongoing discussions between the Port and its business partners to reach no fewer than ten agreements facilitating the revival of port activities and the multi-user dock’s launch,” said Port of Sept-Îles President & CEO Pierre D. Gagnon.

ABOUT THE PORT OF SEPT-ÎLES

Boasting diverse, state-of-the-art facilities, the Port of Sept-Îles is one of North America’s largest ore-handling ports, with an expected volume of more than 30 million tons in 2018. The port facilities at Sept-Îles play a vital and strategic role in the economy of Eastern Canada. Annual economic impacts are estimated at nearly $1 billion and almost 4,000 direct and indirect jobs.

Source:
Patsy Keays, Director, Corporate Affairs
Port of Sept-Îles
pkeays@portsi.com
418 961-1235

Sept-Îles, January 5, 2018 – The M/V New Explorer, a Liberian registered vessel, sailing from Egypt, was the first ship to arrive in Sept-Îles this year at 8 a.m. on January 5, 2018. The vessel arrived in ballast and will set sail again on January 6, 2018 with 77,000 tons of iron ore from IOC Rio Tinto destined for Ghent, Belgium.

During a short ceremony, Mr. Pierre D. Gagnon, President & CEO of the Port of Sept-Îles, presented Captain Ioannis Kantounias with the prestigious cane bearing the Port of Sept-Îles insignia.

Several gifts were also offered to the Captain by Mr. Jean Masse, Deputy Mayor of Sept-Îles, as well as by Mr. Benoit Méthot, General Manager, Rail & Port of IOC Rio Tinto.

This tradition, now in its 31st year, marks the arrival of the first ship of the year to call the Port. To be eligible, the vessel must come directly from a foreign Port and be bound for a destination outside the country without making any other calls at a Canadian Port.

ABOUT THE PORT OF SEPT-ÎLES

Boasting diverse, state-of-the-art facilities, the Port of Sept-Îles is one of North America’s largest ore-handling ports, with an expected volume of more than 30 million tons in 2018. The port facilities at Sept-Îles play a vital and strategic role in the economy of Eastern Canada. Annual economic impacts are estimated at nearly $1 billion and almost 4,000 direct and indirect jobs.

Source:

Patsy Keays
Director, Corporate Affairs
Port of Sept-Îles
pkeays@portsi.com
418 961-1235