Category: Press releases

SEPT-ÎLES, January 22, 2024 – At its recent New Year cocktail party, the Port of Sept-Îles revealed that it had reached an all-time high with 36.6 million metric tons of cargo handled at its facilities in 2023. The previous record was set in 1979 with 34.9 million metric tons.

“This new milestone is of national significance and makes the Port of Sept-Îles one of the leading ports in the country,” said Pierre D. Gagnon, President and CEO of the Port of Sept-Îles. “Thanks to this new record, we have proudly reclaimed second place among Canadian ports in terms of annual volume of operations, ahead of the Port of Montréal and behind Vancouver. We have also reaffirmed our status as the largest mineral port in North America.”

New momentum

The Port of Sept-Îles experienced new momentum in 2023, including an overhaul of its mission statements, vision, values, and strategic priorities. Numerous community stakeholders were involved in the process that led to these changes.

To guide future development and with the intention of opening a dialogue with the community, in October 2023 the Port of Sept-Îles also launched an online public consultation entitled “Ré-imaginez le cœur de Sept-Îles” (Re-imagine the Heart of Sept-Îles). This innovative approach to collecting development ideas for the harmonization of riverfront spaces in the lower town was a great success: 6,819 participants, 55 projects submitted, and 748 votes on the specially designed platform.

“We would like to thank all the stakeholders and citizens who participated in our two consultation processes. Your contribution is essential to guide the future development of your Port. With 2024 marking the 25th anniversary of the port authority’s autonomy, we can get the next quarter century off to a strong start thanks to a transparent and sustainable connection with our communities,” said Pierre D. Gagnon and Bernard Lynch, Chairman of the Board of Directors.

Stronger together

In 2023 and with the support of the Government of Québec, economic players in the region, namely the Port of Sept-Îles and the economic development corporations of Sept-Îles and Port-Cartier, were able to proceed with the consolidation of Port-Cartier-Sept-Îles industrial port zones (PCSI IP zone promo video). The creation of this large new area will help make certain sectors with strong industrial potential more attractive to developers worldwide, especially in the global context of energy transition and opportunities related to decarbonization.

“Considering that the maritime activity of the industrial port zone of Port-Cartier-Sept-Îles represents 50% of the total operations on the St. Lawrence River as well as 15% of the commercial value of Québec’s annual exports, it goes without saying that we have a world-class industrial ecosystem that we must promote on a large scale,” said Pierre Gagnon.

Outlook

The current interest of major steel companies in high-purity iron from the Labrador Trough to accelerate the iron industry’s decarbonization efforts is also a unique opportunity.

International developers are already targeting the region as a base for their green projects.

“We have all the right assets to allow our iron products to be processed locally and to shift towards the production of green steel here in the region. Now more than ever is the perfect time for all socio-economic players in the region to support everything that needs to be done to make the most of these unmissable opportunities!” said Pierre Gagnon and Bernard Lynch.

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 a projected volume for 2024 of more than 40 million metric tons. It is also recognized as the largest primary aluminum port terminal in the Americas in terms of operational volume. The facilities at the Port of Sept-Îles play a vital and strategic role in the economy of Eastern Canada. The Port is also deeply committed to sustainable development and has pioneered the first environmental observatory on the St. Lawrence to monitor the marine ecosystem as well as a research chair with Université Laval to study coastal ecosystems and port operations.

 

– 30 –

 

Source:

Frédérick Tétreault, Communications and Public Relations Director
Port of Sept-Îles
418-965-3764
ftetreault@portsi.com

Port-Cartier, May 24, 2023 – The Côte-Nord’s two business development corporations are extremely proud to announce the consolidation of their respective Industrial-Port (IP) Zones as part of Advantage St. Lawrence, Quebec’s new maritime vision, in partnership with Ministère de l’Économie, de l’Innovation et de l’Énergie (MEIE).

In creating one big zone, MEIE, Développement économique Sept-Îles, and Développement économique Port-Cartier are looking to consolidate their combined potential and attract new international investors and projects.

For Bernard Gauthier, Industrial Commissioner at Développement économique Port-Cartier, and Paul Lavoie, Executive Director at Développement économique Sept-Îles, the move was a no-brainer. The geographical proximity of the two IP Zones and the similar needs of their users will pave the way for many opportunities and greater synergy.

“The combined commercial activities of our two IP zones account for nearly 15% of Quebec’s annual exports. It was time for us to join forces and become a driving economic force in the province,” said Bernard Gauthier.

“Together, we can leverage this increased visibility. Our IP Zones are attracting energy transition projects and providing real options for decarbonizing the iron industry here in Quebec,” explains Paul Lavoie.

“Few people realize that half of all shipping activity on the St. Lawrence, in terms of annual tonnage, passes through the port facilities of Port-Cartier and Sept-Îles. That volume makes this new area one of the largest port complexes in North America, home to world-class shippers and facilities,” said Pierre D. Gagnon, Port of Sept-Îles President and CEO.

About Développement économique Port-Cartier 

Développement économique Port-Cartier has been an economic player in Port-Cartier and the Côte-Nord since 1979. The organization was part of the regional coalitions that made the Sainte-Marguerite 3, Toulnustouc and Romaine dams possible. Développement économique Port-Cartier was also one of the driving forces behind the Port-Cartier sawmill, the opening of the pulp mill (three times), and the bailout of Quebec Cartier Mining Company in the early 2000s, among other things.

About Développement économique Sept-Îles

Founded in 1974, Développement économique Sept-Îles is a municipal non-profit that helps bring business projects of all sizes to life. Its mission is to work with other local socioeconomic players to drive growth and improve the quality of life in Sept-Îles.

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 a projected volume for 2023 of nearly 40 million metric tons. It is also recognized as the largest primary aluminum port terminal in the Americas in terms of operational volume. The facilities at the Port of Sept-Îles play a vital and strategic role in the economy of Eastern Canada. The Port is also deeply committed to sustainable development and has pioneered the first environmental observatory on the St. Lawrence to monitor the marine ecosystem.

LINK TO PCSI IP ZONE VIDEO (FRENCH)

Sources :

Paul Lavoie
Executive Director
Développement économique Sept-Îles
Tél. 418 962-7677, poste 101
plavoie@deseptiles.com

Bernard Gauthier
Executive Director and Industrial Commissioner
Développement économique Port-Cartier
Tél. 418 766-8383 | Cell : 418 768-6383
bgauthier.cde@globetrotter.net

Frédérick Tétreault
Communications and Public Relations Director
Port de Sept-Îles
Tél. 418 965-3764
ftetreault@portsi.com

SEPT-ÎLES, QUEBEC, February 21, 2023 – The Port of Sept-Îles (“the Port”) and LOGISTEC Arrimage Inc. (“LOGISTEC”) are proud to announce that they reached the impressive milestone of handling 50 million tons of iron ore since the Port’s multi-user dock opened in March 2018. This achievement reflects both the significant growth of the mining industry and the operational excellence of the teams responsible for meeting demand and optimizing supply chain flow.

The 50 millionth ton of iron ore, from Quebec Iron Ore’s Lac Bloom mine, was loaded on board the M/V NSU Voyager. The nearly 300-metre-long ocean-going vessel, built in 2017 in Japan and belonging to NS United Kaiun Kaisha Ltd., will return to the Port of Oita and the Port of Wakayama, Japan, with a cargo of 197,000 tons of iron ore.

“The Port of Sept-Îles has grown significantly since the multi-user dock opened, with its workers operating the facilities with an impressive reliability rate of over 97% since the dock was commissioned. We also want to recognize the success of our clients, Quebec Iron Ore, Tacora Resources and Société Ferroviaire et Portuaire de Pointe-Noire, which helped us reach this historic milestone. The Port and LOGISTEC teams worked together closely to ensure a reliable export of iron ore to markets. Today, we toast our teams on the ground, whose hard work has enabled us to reach the first 50 million tons and will ensure many more to come!” said Pierre Gagnon, President and CEO of the Port of Sept-Îles.

“These 50 million tons speak to the efforts, collaboration and dedication of the LOGISTEC teams who work day and night to safely serve clients,” said Rodney Corrigan, President of LOGISTEC “Our team has developed cutting-edge expertise and successfully delivered operational excellence, despite growing demand and extreme weather, and I would like to recognize their hard work and dedication, which contributes to the success of the Port of Sept-Îles, a leading world-class port.”

Since operations began, a total of 297 vessels have been loaded at the multi-user dock. The Port team works tirelessly to ensure that the economic activities that take place in the Bay of Sept-Îles run smoothly, without ever compromising safety or environmental protection. LOGISTEC has been in the marine industry for over 70 years and has forged an exceptional collaborative relationship with the Port team, enabling it to develop customized expertise to better serve its clients.

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 a projected volume for 2023 of nearly 40 million metric tons. It is also recognized as the largest primary aluminum port terminal in the Americas in terms of operational volume. The facilities at the Port of Sept-Îles play a vital and strategic role in the economy of Eastern Canada. The Port is also deeply committed to sustainable development and has pioneered the first environmental observatory on the St. Lawrence to monitor the marine ecosystem.

About LOGISTEC

Based in Montreal, Quebec, LOGISTEC Corporation provides specialized services to the marine industry and industrial companies, including bulk and break-bulk cargo and container handling services at 53 port facilities and 79 terminals in North America. LOGISTEC also provides coastal marine transportation services, mainly to the Arctic, and marine agency services to ship owners and operators in the Canadian market. The Corporation also works in the environmental sector, offering services to industrial and municipal clients and other government entities, such as replacing groundwater pipes, dredging, dewatering, contaminated soil and waste management, site remediation, risk analysis and product manufacturing related to fluid transportation. For more information, please visit the company website at www.logistec.com.

 

Sources :

Patsy Keays
Director, Corporate Affaires & Corporate Secretary
Port of Sept-Îles
Tel. 418 961-1235
pkeays@portsi.com

Marie-Chantal Savoy
Vice President, Strategy and Communications
LOGISTEC Corporation
Tel. 514 985-2337
msavoy@logistec.com

SEPT-ÎLES, January 23, 2023 – With 33.4 million tonnes of cargo handled last year, the Sept-Îles Port Authority is pleased to announce its best year of port activity ever since its inception in 1999. This figure represents an increase of 4.1% over the previous year’s total of 32.1 million tonnes.

As a result of this strong performance, the St. Lawrence River port maintains its 3rd-place position in Canada for the volume of cargo handled in 2022.

Increased shipments of iron ore accounted for the growth, especially the 24% increase in exports by Quebec Iron Ore (to 10 million tonnes). Aluminerie Alouette also set a new mark for aluminum shipments, with a record 574,000 tonnes routed by sea through the port.

In addition, Sept-Îles was the first St. Lawrence port to welcome a cruise ship as the industry resumed operations in Canada in the wake of the pandemic. In all, a record 11 vessels and 14,400 passengers visited this past season.

The outlook for the new year is bright, thanks in large part to the 7 million tonne expansion at Quebec Iron Ore that is now in production. “This increase in output could help put us past the symbolic threshold of 40 million tonnes, a historical record, that could lift the port into 2nd place in Canada for volume of activity,” said Pierre D. Gagnon, President and CEO of the Port of Sept-Îles.

“The Port of Sept-Îles is a flagship of the regional and national economy. We should be proud of that fact and spread the word that port traffic accounts for around 10% of the total value of Quebec exports,” said Bernard Lynch, Chairman of the Board of the Port of Sept-Îles.

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 for 2023 of nearly 40 million metric tons. It is also recognized as the largest primary aluminum port terminal in the Americas in terms of operational volume. Sept-Îles port facilities play a vital and strategic role in the economy of Eastern Canada. The Port is also deeply committed to sustainable development and has pioneered the first environmental observatory on the St. Lawrence to monitor the marine ecosystem.

Sources :

Patsy Keays
Director, Corporate Affaires & Corporate Secretary
Port of Sept-Îles
Tel. 418 961-1235
pkeays@portsi.com

SEPT-ÎLES, January 12, 2023 – The first ship of the year, M/V Cape Alexandros, arrived at 11:00 a.m. on January 4, 2023, from Rotterdam in the Netherlands and remained anchored in the bay awaiting loading. On Thursday morning, January 12, a ceremony was finally held to present Captain Antonios Chatzigeorgiou with the commemorative cane traditionally awarded to mark the first ship’s arrival.

The captain said he was deeply honoured by the gift, adding that it was his second visit to the Port of Sept-Îles in 29 years. He also expressed admiration for the St. Lawrence–Great Lakes and Saguenay maritime corridors, worthy praise from someone who has visited more than 80 countries and spent his career sailing the world’s major shipping routes.

The brief ceremony at IOC Rio Tinto’s port facilities was attended by Marie-Josée Carrier, Senior Advisor, Communications and External Relations; Marie-Noëlle Péloquin, Operations Coordinator, Terminal; Marco Blanchette, Terminal Maintenance Superintendent representing IOC Rio Tinto; and Pierre Gagnon, President and CEO of the Port of Sept-Îles. Josée Carrier also presented the captain and his crew of 25 with a well-stocked basket of local products.

The 292-metre-long Liberian-registered M/V Cape Alexandros was built in South Korea in 2010 and belongs to the Greek shipowner Golden Union Shipping Co SA. It will sail back to Rotterdam with 170,700 tonnes of concentrate and iron pellets.

The tradition of the cane, now in its 36th year, celebrates the first ship to drop anchor in Port waters each year and highlights the impact of port activities in the community. To be eligible, ships must arrive directly from abroad and be bound for a foreign port.

ABOUT THE PORT OF SEPT-ÎLES CANE

In 2012, on the 25th anniversary of the cane ceremony, the traditional gold-headed cane got a makeover, with an exclusive new design showcasing the region’s resources. Inspired by a 3D version of the Port of Sept-Îles logo, the polished anodized aluminum cane is reminiscent of the blue highway. The redesigned pommel contains a fragment of iron ore whose luster is reflected in a hemisphere of acrylic. It also features a distinctive gold element: the seven-star Port of Sept-Îles logo representing the seven islands in the Bay of Sept-Îles has been painstakingly reproduced in 10-karat gold.

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 for 2023 of nearly 40 million metric tons. It is also recognized as the largest primary aluminum port terminal in the Americas in terms of operational volume. Sept-Îles port facilities play a vital and strategic role in the economy of Eastern Canada. The Port is also deeply committed to sustainable development and has pioneered the first environmental observatory on the St. Lawrence to monitor the marine ecosystem.

Sources :

Patsy Keays
Director, Corporate Affaires & Corporate Secretary
Port of Sept-Îles
Tel. 418 961-1235
pkeays@portsi.com

Sept-Îles, November 9, 2022 – The Port of Sept-Îles and Microbrasserie La Compagnie are pleased to announce that they are donating $3,000 from the sale of Pointe aux Basques beer to À la Source.

During the press conference held at La Compagnie on August 18, 2021, the Port of Sept-Îles and the microbrewery undertook to continue their partnership and raise money to support a community organization through the sale of Pointe aux Basques charity beer. They announced that the funds collected will go to À La Source, which provides childbirth and breastfeeding support as well as accommodations for families from outside the region who come to Sept-Îles in anticipation of a birth.

L’Envol-Maison de la Famille was the first recipient of this joint initiative commemorating the local port authority’s 20 years of autonomy in 2019. A new craft beer, aptly named “Pointe aux Basques,” was created to help local organizations.

“This partnership with Microbrasserie La Compagnie has exceeded our every expectation! Supporting organizations that help our community remains our top priority. We are pleased to provide financial assistance to make it easier for organizations to reach their goals and meet their clients’ many needs,” said Pierre D. Gagnon, Port of Sept-Îles President and CEO.

“Pointe aux Basques is a great source of pride. We love brewing delicious beer that also helps the people of Sept-Îles,” said Billy Dumas, co-owner of La Compagnie.

“The À la Source team is happy and grateful for the donation that resulted from this wonderful partnership. Every year we help more than 200 area families, from preparing for birth to weaning from breastfeeding. We offer generous support during intense times and provide the information they need to make informed decisions. The support of companies like the Port of Sept-Îles and Microbrasserie La Compagnie helps us keep up the pace so we can keep making a difference,” said Julie Rousseau, Executive Director at À la Source.

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 and the third largest in the country, with an expected volume of close to 40 million tonnes in 2023. It is also recognized as the largest primary aluminum port terminal in the Americas in terms of operational volume. Sept-Îles port facilities play a vital and strategic role in the economy of Eastern Canada. The Port of Sept-Îles established the first environmental observatory in the St. Lawrence marine ecosystem. Sustainable development is a cornerstone of its values and actions.

About Microbrasserie La Compagnie

Microbrasserie La Compagnie is a craft brewery that makes and sells beer inspired by the industrial history of Sept-Îles. The company opened its doors at 15 rue du Père-Divet in December 2018 and sells its beer in a pub adjacent to the brewery. The pub also boasts a menu of simple and original dishes showcasing the flavours of the North Shore. The company has become a must-visit attraction in the region.

Sources :

Patsy Keays
Director, Corporate Affaires & Corporate Secretary
Port of Sept-Îles
Tel. 418 961-1235
pkeays@portsi.com

Billy Dumas
Co-owner
Microbrasserie La Compagnie
Tel. 418 961-2337
info@microlacompagnie.com

SEPT-ÎLES, November 2, 2022 – Élyme des sables and the Port of Sept-Îles are more than pleased with the results of the latest “5 à Huîtres maritime” cocktail and oyster party held on October 28. At $104,090, it’s the second best result since the 2012 event that raised $115,000.

Now in its 13th year, the annual fundraising event is organized by the Port of Sept-Îles in collaboration with Élyme des sables, Club Richelieu, and HMCS Jolliet. The goal of the event is to raise as much money as possible to support the valuable services provided at the Sept-Îles palliative care centre.

This year’s hybrid event, which featured three options—a five-course in-person meal, a full takeout meal for two people, and a beer and oyster takeout option—was a big hit. Restaurant Les Terrasses du Capitaine hosted the gourmet dinner. The Rockefeller Room was sponsored by LOGISTEC, the event’s major partner. About 50 guests enjoyed oysters prepared in five different ways by the chefs of Le Bavard et l’Ivrogne and Les Terrasses du Capitaine, both outstanding partners of the event.

“It would be remiss of us not to mention the many partners, organizations, and volunteers who made this fundraising event such a great success. And what can we say about everyone who came out for the exceptional oysters from La Ferme Maricole Purmer, which has been farming them in the Bay of Sept-Îles specifically for the “5 à Huîtres maritime” event for the past few years. It’s proof that our big community is close-knit and can come together to help an organization committed to providing a supportive and dignified end-of-life environment for families and their loved ones. To all those who had a direct or indirect hand in this fantastic result, well done and thank you! We’re clearly a very generous region,” said Bernard Lynch, chair of the board of directors, and Pierre D. Gagnon, president and CEO of the Port of Sept-Îles.

“We’re proud to say ‘mission accomplished!’ We owe our success to the involvement of some 50 dedicated individuals who answer the call year after year. Thank you to the members of the organizing committee, our colleagues at the Port of Sept-Îles, and our wonderful volunteers. See you next year!” added Marie-Eve Guérin, HR and administration manager at the Port of Sept-Îles and head of the “5 à Huîtres maritime” organizing committee.

“A community’s generosity and commitment are a testament to the values of every person in it. Thank you all, hats off to Sept-Îles and Port-Cartier, and see you next year!” said Michel Bellavance, executive director of the Élyme des sables palliative care centre in Sept-Îles.

ABOUT ÉLYME DES SABLES

Élyme des sables is our palliative care centre, providing accommodation and care for people diagnosed with a terminal illness. The mission and commitment of the centre’s healthcare staff is to provide quality end-of-life care in a peaceful and dignified environment. Fundraising activities are essential to the operating budget, and the centre’s longevity is inextricably tied to the great generosity and contribution of the people who live here.

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 for 2022 of nearly 40 million metric tons. It is also recognized as the largest primary aluminum port terminal in the Americas in terms of operational volume. Sept-Îles port facilities play a vital and strategic role in the economy of Eastern Canada. The Port is also deeply committed to sustainable development and has pioneered the first environmental observatory on the St. Lawrence to monitor the marine ecosystem.

Sources :

Patsy Keays
Director, Corporate Affaires & Corporate Secretary
Port of Sept-Îles
Tel. 418 961-1235
pkeays@portsi.com

Michel Bellavance
Executive Director
Élymes des sables
Tel. 418 965-6438
mbellavance@elymedessables.com

SEPT-ÎLES, MARCH 10, 2022 – The Northern Institute for Research in Environment and Occupational Health and Safety (INREST) and the Port of Sept-Îles are very pleased to announce $1.998 million in funding from the Government of Quebec to create the main Enviro-Actions™ development and demonstration pilot area in the Bay of Sept-Îles.

The project will also receive a significant financial contribution of $2.5 million from the Port of Sept-Îles over the next five years, for a total budget of nearly $4.5 million. These major investments in the preservation of the Sept-Îles industrial-port (IP) zone ecosystem come courtesy of the Quebec government’s “Advantage St. Lawrence” maritime strategy, which aims to establish a smart economic corridor along the river and ensure that maritime traffic is respectful of the environment, among other objectives.

With the Enviro-Actions™ pilot project, the knowledge and tools developed in 2013 when setting up the Bay of Sept-Îles environmental monitoring observatory will be adapted so that similar observatories can be created for other IP zones in Quebec. The innovative project uses near real-time monitoring tools to preventively detect potential environmental contamination and quickly implement corrective measures, combining expertise and cutting-edge technology to assess environmental quality and adopt solutions for mitigating environmental impacts and climate change.

“The goal of the Advantage St. Lawrence strategy is to connect, organize, and unify our waterways. That’s why we’re proud to support INREST in implementing Enviro-Actions. This groundbreaking, high-potential project will make the St. Lawrence and Saguenay Rivers a major competitive corridor conducive to the growth of our blue economy.”
Chantal Rouleau, Minister for Transport and Minister Responsible for the Metropolis and the Montréal Region

“The operations and strategic position of the Port of Sept-Îles make it a key player in the port network of Quebec and Eastern Canada. Having a data capture system in the port zone sets it apart and supports the port’s sustainable evolution. The system is a distinctive asset for our region and will help preserve the natural environment. I am very pleased that our government is helping to safeguard the North Shore’s marine ecosystem.”
Jonatan Julien, Minister of Energy and Natural Resources, Minister Responsible for the Côte-Nord Region, and Minister Responsible for the Gaspésie–Îles-de-la-Madeleine Region

“Over the past few years, INREST has demonstrated its ability to lead and carry out innovative, large-scale projects and has received valuable support from the Government of Quebec, the Port of Sept-Îles, and the community. This has allowed INREST and its CEIP (Centre for Industrial Port Expertise) division to position themselves as key players at the provincial and national levels in the preservation of ecosystems in port and industrial areas. The Government of Quebec and the Port of Sept-Îles are key partners for INREST, proving once again their willingness and commitment to prioritize environmental preservation and sustainable development.”
Dr. Julie Carrière, Executive Director, INREST and CEIP

“The Bay of Sept-Îles environmental monitoring observatory established by the Port and INREST in 2013 was the first of its kind on the St. Lawrence, paving the way for this innovative model and demonstrating regional leadership in the protection of marine ecosystems. The Port is therefore proud to provide major funding for the Enviro-Actions project, which will position our industrial-port zone as a leader in the use of instruments and the development of management tools for monitoring the precious ecosystems of Quebec’s coastal and port areas.”
Pierre D. Gagnon, President and CEO, Port of Sept-Îles

Implementing the Enviro-Actions™ model in IP zones will serve to:

• Measure and monitor the water, air, and sound quality of IP ecosystems in near real-time
• Create an environmental alert system for managers in IP zones to increase responsiveness before an incident occurs (prevention mode)
• Provide all port authorities and managers in IP zones with better tools to measure the effects of their activities on the environment, respond to community expectations and concerns, and make decisions, including for the environmental management of IP zones
• Collect credible and current data that is scientifically neutral and promotes social acceptability
• Provide a better understanding of current environmental impacts and how these impacts will evolve in the future so that challenges and solutions for the preservation of ecosystems can be identified, with a view to sustainable development
• Measure the results of environmental conservation and improvement efforts in IP zones
• Use innovative big data and artificial intelligence approaches to integrate data management for the purpose of performing trend or predictive analysis, building profiles, anticipating risks, and monitoring phenomena in near real-time

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 nearly 40 million tonnes in 2022. It is also recognized as the largest primary aluminum port terminal in the Americas in terms of business volume. The port facilities at Sept-Îles play a vital and strategic role in the economy of Eastern Canada. The Port of Sept-Îles established the first environmental monitoring observatory in the St. Lawrence marine ecosystem. Sustainable development is a cornerstone of its values and actions.

ABOUT INREST
The Northern Institute for Research in Environment and Occupational Health and Safety (INREST) is a non-profit organization that focuses on environmental and occupational health issues. INREST made its mark on the global scene by setting up the largest industrial-port (IP) zone environmental observatory for the preservation of marine ecosystems in Quebec and by creating the Centre for Industrial Port Expertise. The division’s main thrust is to set up environmental observatories and instrumentalize Quebec’s maritime territory for the purpose of conserving the ecosystems in all of the province’s port and industrial zones, which includes collecting live data and issuing Enviro-Alertes™ as per the Enviro-Actions™ preventive management model.

Sources :

Patsy Keays
Director, Corporate Affaires & Corporate Secretary
Port of Sept-Îles
Tel. 418 961-1235
pkeays@portsi.com

Kim Doiron
Associate Director
INREST
Tel. 418 732-4405
kim@inrest.ca

SEPT-ÎLES, January 28, 2022 – With results of 32.1 M MT representing the second-best year since the creation of the port authority in 1999, the volume achieved in 2021 is however slightly lower by 3% with that of the previous year of 33.1 M MT.

This very respectable level of port activity nevertheless positions the Port of Sept-Îles in 3rd place among Canadian ports in 2021. This slight decline comes after five successive years of growth related mainly to the world-class infrastructure of the multi-user wharf in Pointe-Noire.

Lower iron ore shipments are the main reason for the variance due to certain incidents and equipment breakdowns that affected production for some producers.

However, the new year looks promising with the announcement of Quebec Iron Ore’s 7 M MT expansion project starting in the spring, as well as higher volume forecasts announced by other mining companies producing iron ore.

“These new volumes at the Port’s facilities should make it possible to cross the 40 M MT mark in 2022, setting an all-time record, as well as possibly reaching the rank of 2nd port in Canada in terms of volume of activity” declared enthusiastically Pierre D. Gagnon, President and CEO of the Port of Sept-Îles.

REGARDING THE PORT OF SEPT-ÎLES

Boasting diverse, state-of-the-art facilities, the Port of Sept-Îles is North America’s largest iron ore-handling port, with an anticipated volume of close to 40 million tonnes for 2022. It is also recognized as the most important port terminal for the primary aluminum industry in the Americas for its volume of activity. The port facilities at Sept-Îles play a vital and strategic role in the economy of Eastern Canada. The Port is also deeply committed to sustainable development, pioneering the first environmental observatory on the St. Lawrence to monitor the maritime ecosystem.

Source :

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

SEPT-ÎLES, January 10, 2022 – Flying the Japanese flag, the M/V Frontier Harvest arriving from İskenderun, Turkey, was the first ship of 2022, with arrival at 12:22 p.m. on January 4th. The ship was in ballast and will be leaving this week for Rotterdam, Netherlands with a cargo of 172,360 tonnes of iron ore pellets and concentrate from Iron Ore Company (IOC). Owned by NYK Line, the ship has a crew of 20 on board.

Due to the health restrictions in effect with the COVID-19 pandemic, the prestigious cane bearing the image of the Port of Sept-Îles was given to Captain Edgar Sulpecio Carvajal Llorente by Iron Ore Company Marine Services. The traditional New Year ceremony at the Port, where the maritime industry and the Sept-Îles business community usually gather to mark the arrival of the first ship, could not take place for a second year in a row, due to the pandemic.

Now in its 35th year, the tradition marks the arrival of the first ship of the year to call at the port. To be eligible, the vessel must come directly from a foreign country and be bound for a foreign destination.

REGARDING THE PORT OF SEPT-ÎLES CANE

Let us recall that it was in 2012, at the occasion of the 25th anniversary of the award that the traditional gold-headed cane was specially revamped to present a more contemporary version highlighting the resources of the region. Inspired by a 3D version of the Port of Sept-Îles logo, this new edition of the polished and anodized aluminum cane is stylishly reminiscent of the blue highway. The redesigned pommel contains a shard of iron ore whose lustre is reflected in an acrylic half sphere. The distinctive component of gold has not been overlooked in the new concept of the trophy. The seven stars illustrated on the logo of the Port of Sept-Îles and recalling the seven islands in the bay have been reproduced in 10-karat gold on the ring of the cane.

REGARDING THE PORT OF SEPT-ÎLES

Boasting diverse, state-of-the-art facilities, the Port of Sept-Îles is North America’s largest iron ore-handling port, with an anticipated volume of close to 40 million tonnes for 2022. It is also recognized as the most important port terminal for the primary aluminum industry in the Americas for its volume of activity. The port facilities at Sept-Îles play a vital and strategic role in the economy of Eastern Canada. The Port is also deeply committed to sustainable development, pioneering the first environmental observatory on the St. Lawrence to monitor the maritime ecosystem.

 

Source :

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