Category: Press releases

SEPT-ÎLES, October 16, 2015 – The Port of Sept-Îles is very pleased with the opening of the new Société du Plan Nord regional office by Pierre Arcand, Minister of Energy and Natural Resources and Minister responsible for the Plan Nord. With this new office, located at 818 Laure Boulevard, Sept-Îles joins Roberval, Baie-Comeau and Chibougamau as strategic outposts for Société du Plan Nord. The Sept-Îles office will employ the largest staff.

“By opening this regional office and hiring four resource people with excellent first-hand knowledge of the region, we feel the corporation is taking a strong step toward harnessing the opportunities available in our vast region in deploying the Plan Nord. The Port of Sept-Îles is a strategic port, and its new multi-user dock is the highest-capacity ore-handling facility in North America. There’s no question that having a Société du Plan Nord office here will deliver tangible benefits and be a boon for business,” said Port of Sept-Îles President and CEO Pierre D. Gagnon.

“This ambitious development plan, which hinges on community consultation and cooperation, is exactly what we need right now. The current economic slowdown and flagging iron ore market are being felt in our communities and the entire region. The Plan Nord will help power economic recovery by creating new employment opportunities and securing existing jobs in the region. The government’s willingness to work with regional actors, aboriginal communities, and the private sector is the linchpin of this innovative Plan, which can meet the real needs of our region,” noted Avit Ouellet, Chair of the Sept-Îles Port Authority Board of Directors.

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 annual volume of close to 28 million tons. The port infrastructure at Sept-Îles 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.

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

MONTREAL, Que. — On the surface, the concept of a port seems simple; a ship comes in, unloads its cargo, perhaps takes on new cargo and then heads back out to sea.

But in this digital and technological age, ports in Canada play a much larger, more significant role. Beyond moving around cargo, ports are the heart of data management and provide expertise in logistical efficiency. Today’s ports are not what we think they are. They truly are pushing limits, which is the theme for this year’s Association of Canadian Port Authorities (ACPA) annual conference, to be hosted by the Port of Montreal next week.

“Canada’s modern ports are about so much more than just moving goods,” says Wendy Zatylny, President of ACPA. “At heart, we are innovators, economic drivers, job creators, business developers and community builders.”

Canadian Port Authorities handle more than 60 per cent of Canada’s waterborne cargo, worth more than $400 billion annually. This activity supports 250,000 well-paying direct and indirect jobs. For every million tonnes of new cargo moved through these ports, 300 new jobs are created.

Staged over two-and-a-half days, the ACPA Conference 2015 will examine the port industry, with in-depth panel discussions on a variety of topics, including:

• The forces driving tomorrow’s logistics landscape;
• Adding value to Canada’s ports;
• The energy challenge;
• Innovation in the maritime industry;
• Expanding maritime trade; and
• The importance of social media.

Speakers slated to make presentations to delegates include Georgia Tech professor Benoit Montreuil, Port Ambassador Frank Geerkens from the Port of Antwerp, Danielle Goldfarb from the Conference Board of Canada and Michel Juneau-Katsuya, a security and intelligence specialist.

“With our own extensive network of infrastructure, the Port of Montreal is a great example of ports driving economic development and spurring investment and job creation,” says Sylvie Vachon, President and CEO of the Port of Montreal and host of the ACPA 2015 Conference. “We move goods, yes, but we also provide employment lands, railway lines, jobs, log information and facilitate the efficient movement of products and services – all of which supports Canadian families and our way of life.”

The conference will wrap up Thursday morning with a private tour of the Port of Montreal.

The conference also includes a trade show to provide marine industry exhibitors with a unique opportunity to showcase their services and network with the delegates and executives of the ACPA membership. Accredited media are welcome to attend the Business Sessions, but must register on the website under the press-pass option.

Follow the Association of Canadian Port Authorities Annual Conference on Twitter @MTLACPA2015. For more information, please visit acpa2015.ca.

 

About the Association of Canadian Port Authorities:

The Association of Canadian Port Authorities was founded in 1958 and groups together ports and related marine interests into one national association. ACPA represents all Canadian Port Authorities, various government entities and companies doing business in the marine sector. It is the leading Association for the advocacy and advancement of the Canadian Port Industry. ACPA members contribute significantly to the local, regional and national economy of Canada, responsible for more than 250,000 direct and indirect jobs and handling more than $400 billion worth of goods annually.

For more information, please call

Kalvin Reid, Consultant
ENsight Canada
Mobile: 289.241.7936
kreid@enterprisecanada.com
acpa-ports.net

SEPT-ÎLES, August 14, 2015 – The Port of Sept-Îles, in partnership with Destination Sept-Îles Nakauinanu, officially opened the Hermel exhibition site today in the Port of Sept-Îles Marina building.

As part of the strategy promoting Sept-Îles as an international cruise destination, the Port and Destination Sept-Îles Nakauinanu wanted to make the Hermel accessible to cruise passengers as well as tourists and locals. To do so, they renovated the Marina building to refurbish existing facilities and create a space dedicated to this remarkable transatlantic watercraft. An interactive console sits next to the Hermel, allowing visitors to learn about the famous rowboat and its 129-day voyage across the Atlantic.

In addition to being the new home port for Mylène Paquette’s legendary boat, the Marina building now houses a Tourisme Sept-Îles kiosk and an interpretive display about the Bay of Sept-Îles itself. Until Labour Day, Tourisme Sept-Îles staff will be on-site to bring the exhibits to life and answer visitor questions. The exhibition is open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. seven days a week. Once summer is over, school and group visits to the Hermel will be available upon request.

“Thanks to our generous partners, the Hermel exhibition is now a part of the Port of Sept-Îles. We’re grateful to Destination Sept-Îles Nakauinanu, and to Tourisme Sept-Îles and the Club nautique de Sept-Îles, who helped make it possible to bring the Hermel to her new home port in our marina,” said Pierre D. Gagnon, the Port’s President & CEO.

“The Hermel is a symbol of the maritime community. She travelled the same route as most ore tankers that pass through our port and her courageous captain is a force of nature. This little yellow boat will be a major attraction for locals, school groups, visitors, tourists and cruise passengers,” added Manon Langlois, chair of the Destination Sept-Îles Nakauinanu board.

In April 2014 the Port of Sept-Îles won the bid to acquire this symbol of courage, determination, and achievement that embodies the Port’s values and will now be displayed there permanently.

THE MS MARCO POLO ARRIVES

The MS Parco Polo and her 1,371 passengers and crew are expected to dock in Sept-Îles this Sunday. This will be the graceful cruise ship’s first-ever visit to the region. Festivities, entertainment, and tastings of local delicacies will be featured in the port’s new cruise terminal. Everyone is invited to join in this event to kick off the cruise ship season. The ship leaves port on Monday at 7:30 p.m.

ABOUT THE PORT OF SEPT-ÎLES

Boasting diverse, state-of-the-art facilities, the Port of Sept-Îles is one of the largest ore-handling ports in North America. The port’s infrastructure plays a vital and strategic role in the economy of Eastern Canada, with annual economic impact estimated at nearly $1 billion and nearly 4,000 direct and indirect jobs.

 

Source :

Patsy Keays
Director, Corporate Affairs
Port de Sept-Îles
418-961-1235

Mario Sévigny
Executive Director
Destination Sept-Îles Nakauinanu
418-968-1231, ext. 234

For immediate release

SEPT-ÎLES, July 22, 2015 – The Port of Sept-Îles will respond to a motion to institute proceedings filed by Pomerleau Inc. at the Superior Court of Québec in the District of Mingan to claim additional costs, losses, and damages under the terms of its contract for the engineering and construction of the multi-user dock

The Port of Sept-Îles plans to analyze the motion with its attorneys. However, the Port decided last fall that it would vigorously contest the claim by Pomerleau Inc. for additional sums above and beyond the contract price. These sums represent additional costs that the contractor claims to have incurred, but that in fact were the result of operational issues and a lack of foresight for which the contractor is entirely responsible.

The Port has therefore asked its attorneys to determine whether any new information has come to light suggesting that the decision be changed, and if not, to contest the motion and evaluate whether the Port can claim for damages it incurred due to delays throughout the project. As this matter is in the hands of its lawyers, the Port of Sept-Îles will issue no further comment.

 

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 port. The port infrastructure at Sept-Îles 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.

Source :

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

SEPT-ÎLES, February 12, 2015 — The Port of Sept-Îles is very pleased to announce the arrival of the M/V Happy Star with the two gigantic shiploaders destined for the port’s multi-user dock. The ship, which left the Port of Longxue in Nansha, China, on December 29 for a 43-day, 10,275-nautical-mile voyage via the Panama Canal, arrived in Sept-Îles at 7:30 a.m. yesterday. Immediately on arrival, the M/V Happy Star docked at the multi-user dock and began unloading. The new equipment will complete this world-class facility, increasing its loading capacity to make it the highest in North America.

The M/V Happy Star, which specializes in this type of transport, is the property of BigLift Shipping, one of the world’s leading oversized cargo carriers. The shipowner anticipates that unloading could take between 14 and 21 days, given the scale and complexity of the operation. The cargo consists of two shiploaders, including elevator and tripper car, and 27 conveyor galleries totaling 73 components and weighing in at 3,023 metric tons, each shiploader weighing 1,200 tons.

The equipment manufacturer, Sandvik Canada, deployed an innovative solution to carry the shiploaders, conveyors, and components aboard a single ship and ensure they were unloaded in the proper sequence to optimize installation dockside. These cutting edge shiploaders were assembled using North American components for the drive system, electrification, and instrumentation. These components were shipped to the assembly site by container ahead of time.

This is the recently built M/V Happy Star’s maiden voyage to North America, and the ship and its remarkable cargo even attracted the attention of the producers of the Discovery Channel show Mighty Ships. A camera team from the show joined the vessel for its Panama Canal crossing in order to put together a feature on the transport and unloading of these extraordinary giant machines at the Port of Sept-Îles.

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 28 million tons. The port infrastructure at Sept-Îles plays 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.

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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.

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Sept-Îles, January 6th, 2015 – The M/V Cape Nelson, a Chinese registered vessel, sailing from Imbutiba Brezil, was the first ship to arrive in Sept-Îles this year, at 9h25 on January 4th, 2015. The vessel arrived laden with 14 328 metric tons of Petroleum Coke for Aluminerie Alouette, will set sail again on January 7th 2015, destined for a foreign port.

During a short ceremony, Mr Shawn Grant, Harbour Master of the Port of Sept-Îles, presented Captain Jin Qiu Ze, with the prestigious cane bearing the Port of Sept-Îles insignia.

Several gifts were presented to the Captain by Aluminerie Alouette and Lower St-Lawrence Ocean Agencies.

This tradition, now in its 28th 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 a variety of state-of-the-art facilities, the Port of Sept-Îles is one of North America’s leading iron ore ports. Sept-Îles’ port facilities play a vital and strategic role in the operation of a number of businesses from the region’s primary sector. The Port’s annual economic impact is estimated at nearly $1 billion, with some 4,000 direct and indirect jobs. Port activity at the Port of Sept-Îles therefore remains a significant source of wealth creation in Quebec and Canada.

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SEPT-ÎLES, December 16, 2014 – The Port of Sept-Îles announced that Cliffs Natural Resources, through its affiliates Wabush Iron Co. Limited and Wabush Resources Inc., has withdrawn the civil lawsuit filed July 29, 2013, in the Superior Court concerning its application for an interlocutory injunction against the Port.

This action was intended to compel the Port to give the consent required to upgrade wharf 30 at the Pointe-Noire terminal. On October 7, 2013, the Port filed an objection in the Superior Court of the District of Mingan to set the record straight and state its case.

Cliffs Emergency Committee

The Port of Sept-Îles is satisfied with the outcome of this case and considers it closed. The Port will seek to actively contribute to the Cliffs Emergency Committee as part of its statutory role as development agent supporting the regional community.

The purpose of the Cliffs Emergency Committee is to lessen the negative impact of the mine closure by acting as a key local negotiating partner for both the government and Cliffs regarding the sale of the latter’s assets, coordinating initiatives to assist the workforce, and developing a strategy for SMEs that subcontract for the mining company.

The Port of Sept-Îles will issue no further comment on this subject.

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 over 25 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 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.

Press Release on Adobe® Reader®

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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