Category: Press releases

Sept-Îles, June 1, 2010 – CN and the Port of Sept-Îles are pleased to announce that on May 27, 2010, the Association québecoise du transport et des routes awarded them with a grand prize for excellence in transportation in the “Freight Transportation” category.

This prize, which recognizes efforts to improve the performance of freight transportation networks and modes, was awarded jointly to CN and the Port of Sept-Îles for their development of a rail and maritime transportation route serving Northern Québec and Labrador.

An attractive alternative
Unveiled in November 2008, this transportation route incorporates a CN-owned train ferry that uses Port of Sept-Îles landing, marshalling, and intermodal transport infrastructures.

This alternative to road transportation helps improve transportation conditions in the North Shore region, notably by reducing congestion on Route 138, and cutting greenhouse gas emissions. According to data published in 2006 by the Office of Energy Efficiency, greenhouse gas emissions from rail transportation are estimated to be six times lower (GHG) than those produced by heavy trucks, while maritime transportation boasts GHG emissions ten times lower, according to the St. Lawrence Economic Development Council.

Thanks to the solution by CN and the Port of Sept-Îles, the rail route to Labrador and Nouveau Québec is now accessible from all across North America. With the railcar ferry linking Sept-Îles and Matane, the major industries in the region (including mining companies) will enjoy an intermodal solution that allows them to increase their access to markets and thus boost their competitiveness and business development potential.

Sustained growth
Since its launch in 2008, the railcarferry service has steadily grown in popularity. A big part of this success is attributable to the joint efforts of three of its first customers—Aluminerie Alouette, the IOC Mining Company (Rio Tinto), and Wabush Mines (Cliffs Natural Resources)—all of whom contributed to the development of this innovative transportation system before its official launch. CN and the Port of Sept-Îles would like to thank them for their trust and support, and would also like to thank Développement économique Sept-Îles for its ongoing efforts over the years to get this service on track.

“Given the economic vitality of North Shore, due in large part to the booming iron market and the massive hydroelectric project of La Romaine, the new service comes at a timely moment to provide big industries with a cost-effective alternative for supplying their operations and an advantageous solution for reducing pressure on the overused regional road network,” said Port of Sept-Îles president and CEO Pierre D. Gagnon and board chair Carol Soucy.

“CN is delighted to receive a grand prize of excellence in transportation for this joint project. We will continue to work closely with representatives from the community of Sept-Îles with a view to continuing to do more to meet the region’s needs,” added CN supply chain solutions VP Keith Reardon and Jean Dumas, senior change manager in the CN Sales and Marketing department.

ABOUT CN
Canadian National Railway Company and its operating railway subsidiaries spans Canada and mid-America, from the Atlantic and Pacific oceans to the Gulf of Mexico, serving the ports of Vancouver and Prince Rupert, B.C.; Montreal; Sept-Îles; Baie Comeau; Halifax; New Orleans; and Mobile, AL; and the key metropolitan areas of Toronto; Buffalo; Chicago; Detroit; Duluth, MN¬/Superior, WI; Green Bay, WI; Minneapolis/St. Paul; Memphis; St. Louis; and Jackson, MS; with connections to all points in North America.

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 and in 2011 will become Canada’s second largest in terms of expected annual volume handled, with over 35 million tons. Sept-Îles’s 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.

Adobe® Reader® link

 

Sept-Îles, May 21, 2010 – Tuesday, May 25, 2010, marks the start of the second season of welcoming international cruise ships in Sept-Îles. The three partners of Destination Sept-Îles Nakauinanu—the City of Sept-Îles, the Innu Takuaikan Uashat mak Mani-Utenam (ITUM) Band Council, and the Port of Sept-Îles—are thrilled to kick off this second season with the arrival of the Maasdam, carrying over 1,200 passengers and 500 crew. Again this year some 7,500 passengers and crew will transit through the Bay of Sept-Îles during three port visits, two of which are scheduled for October.

International cruise industry development at Sept-Îles generates major investment and significant spinoffs. The overall project is estimated at nearly $30 million and includes various components slated for completion over the next three years. Construction of the pier will cost slightly over $20 million. Work will be finished on schedule for the official inauguration, when a big public celebration will mark the docking of the second ship of the season, the majestic Norwegian Spirit, on October 4.

Another early highlight of the season is the federal government’s confirmation of $2.3 million in funding for work by the City of Sept-Îles and ITUM. This work totaling over $6.5 million will enhance the overall project, two-thirds of which is funded through provincial and federal programs to develop additional ports of call on the St. Lawrence River.

Not only will this investment enhance tourism options, it will also provide an opportunity to leave a rich legacy for area residents. This will include development of a reception area near the pier to be completed in the coming months, as well as renovation of the Old Dock boardwalk, rebuilding of the launching ramp, construction of an additional stretch of sidewalk on Avenue Arnaud, and revitalization of Le Vieux-Poste.

This initiative by the three partners will also have a leveraging effect for our communities, particularly the Innu community, by creating jobs to operate the panoramic train tour of a traditional site on the shores of Rivière Moisie. This is the spark that will ignite aboriginal tourism and promote the treasured culture of the Innu of Uashat and Mani-Utenam. Upgrading of the Shaputuan museum will make this objective even more attainable.

According to data gathered in 2009 by Cruise the St. Lawrence Association and Ministère du Tourisme du Québec, economic benefits in ports of call could reach up to $100 per day per disembarking passenger. It is foreseeable that sustained tourism opportunities will help generate up to a half million dollars in spinoffs in our communities with a season like the one expected in 2010.

Adobe® Reader® link

Please click on this link to find the Green Marine press release.

SEPT-ÎLES, February 19, 2010 – The Port of Sept-Îles is pleased to announce today the signing of an agreement with the federal government to develop the Pointe-Noire dock. The sum of $5 million was granted through the Infrastructure Stimulus Fund, which provides funding to build or renovate provincial, municipal, and local infrastructure. The announcement was made in the presence of the Honourable John Baird, Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities, as well as mining company representatives and other dignitaries from the Sept-Îles and Port-Cartier regions.

This development project at the Pointe-Noire dock represents a $10 million investment and will consist mainly of expanding dock 31 with a storage area and marine infrastructure in order to begin shipping operations for Consolidated Thompson Iron Mines Ltd., which plans to ship 8 million tons annually. The project received environmental authorization last week and will begin immediately. It is scheduled for completion in late 2010.

The Pointe-Noire dock was acquired from Wabush Mines in 1998. Over the last ten years, the Port of Sept-Îles has invested some $20 million in the structure. This new funding will provide greater berthing capacity at the Pointe-Noire dock and make use of the land behind it to create a maritime transshipment center for bulk cargo.

“This funding will have a major multiplier effect for everyone involved,” stated Port of Sept-Îles CEO Pierre D. Gagnon. “In addition to attracting an equal sum in private investments, the project will allow us to triple the volume of activity at the Pointe-Noire dock at a time when our iron mining industry is booming.”

“The arrival of new mining companies in our region requires that we increase our capacity in order to meet their shipping needs. Today’s announcement clearly indicates that the government is listening to the growing needs of our community and our iron industry, and for that we are very grateful,” added Port of Sept-Îles Chair of the Board Carol Soucy.

With a full range of high-performance equipment, the Port of Sept-Îles is one of North America’s leading iron ore ports and will now become Canada’s second largest in terms of annual volume handled, with over 35 million tons.

Sept-Iles’s 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.

SEPT-ILES, February 16, 2010 – The Port of Sept-Îles is pleased to announce today the signing of rate agreements with Labrador Iron Mines Limited (LIM) and New Millenium Capital Corp. (NML), clearing the way for direct shipping iron ore (DSO) to the Pointe-Noire port facilities.

“These two new agreements will have a major impact on the port’s growth and development since they will eventually represent a combined total of an additional 7 million tons when operations are in full swing a few years from now”, stated Port of Sept-Îles CEO Pierre D. Gagnon. The two companies are currently starting to exploit iron deposits in Schefferville and Labrador.

“These two agreements, along with the one signed in October with Consolidated Thompson Iron Mines Ltd. (CLM), demonstrate how fast the iron industry is growing on the North Shore and in northern Quebec and Labrador. The Port of Sept-Îles is proud to be a part of that development and to work closely with these new mining companies to help them carry out their projects”, stated Port of Sept-Îles Chair of the Board Carol Soucy.

With a full range of high-performance equipment, the Port of Sept-Îles is one of North America’s leading iron ore ports and will now become Canada’s second largest in terms of annual volume handled, with over 35 million tons.

Sept-Iles’s 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.

SEPT-ÎLES, January 19, 2010 – The volume of merchandise handled at the Port of Sept-Îles dipped 12% in 2009, with a total volume of 19.8 million tons versus the 22 million tons handled during the previous year. This slowdown was in line with expectations and was caused, for the most part, by a reduced volume of iron ore shipments that stemmed from decreased demand in iron markets in 2009. This information was announced today during a public event held in honor of the New Year, where the Port of Sept-Îles presented an overview of its activities from the past year before local representatives and dignitaries.

News of the slowdown was mitigated by two other important developments—an 80% uptick in business volume on the Sept-Îles-Matane railcar ferry, which transported over 54,000 tons last year, and the arrival of the Port’s first international cruise ships, which brought 5,047 passengers and three ships to Sept-îles in 2009.

Several major investment projects were also announced in 2009. Construction of the new cruise ship terminal, the Pointe-Noire wharf optimization project, the La Relance terminal expansion project, and the signing of a long-term agreement with Consolidated Thompson Iron Mines Ltd. all made 2009 a record breaking year in terms of investment in the Port. “All signs point to 2010 being a year of significant growth. Thanks to the $160 million worth of infrastructure investment announced last year in collaboration with our partners, we’re fulfilling our role as a development agent in our community,” said Carol Soucy (chairman of the board) and Pierre D. Gagnon (CEO).

The launch of Consolidated Thompson Iron Mines Ltd.’s storage and handling operations in the Port of Sept-Îles in fall 2009 set a record high for private investment at nearly $100 million. In addition to generating significant returns in the form of various contracts and the creation of new jobs in the region, this new iron ore producer, which boasts an annual production capacity of 8 million tons, will soon enable the Port of Sept-îles to reclaim its title as second busiest port in Canada.

Port activity remains a significant source of wealth creation in Quebec and Canada. Sept-îles’s 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 $1 billion, with some 4,000 direct and indirect jobs.

SEPT-ÎLES, January 2, 2010 – The M/V Alam Pintar, a Republic of Singapore registered vessel, sailing from Hamburg, Germany, was the first ship to arrive in Sept-Îles this year, at 18H45 on January 1, 2010. The vessel arrived empty and will set sail again later today destined for Baltimore, USA.

During a short ceremony on board the vessel, Port of Sept-Îles Harbour Master & Port Security Officer, Mr. Shawn Grant, presented Captain Han Yaode with the prestigious Gold Headed Cane bearing the Port of Sept-Îles insignia.

Several gifts were presented to the Captain by the Mayor of Sept-Îles, Mr. Serge Lévesque, as well as by Mr. Patrice Tremblay, representative of the Iron Ore Company of Canada.

This tradition, now in its 23th 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.

The Port of Sept-Îles is in the forefront of the region’s economy and plays a key role in its development. The Port’s annual economic impact has been estimated at $1 billion, with some 4,000 direct and indirect jobs.

SEPT-ÎLES, December 1, 2009 – The Port of Sept-Îles is pleased to announce that the initial blasting operations carried out in recent days in the Pointe-Noire sector definitively marked the launch of construction and development activities at the site by its new partner, Consolidated Thompson Iron Mines Ltd. (CLM).

As a result of the long-term agreement the two parties signed in late October, the new iron ore mining company will set up storage and handling facilities for its maritime shipping needs. In the coming months the company will be doing extensive work to develop an area of over 20 ha by setting up railroads and major iron-ore handling equipment including rotary car dumper, stacker-reclaimers, and a conveyor system. This work represents private investments of some $100 million and will generate major economic spinoffs in the form of various contracts for the regional community.

“With annual production capacity starting at 8 million tons and plans by CLM to increase its capacity to 16 million tons within a few years, we are pleased to announce that with the arrival of this new partner, the Port of Sept-Îles is affirming its role as North America’s leading iron ore port. What’s more, the increase in volume will make it Canada’s second biggest port,” said CEO Pierre D. Gagnon.

“With the arrival of our new partner in the Pointe-Noire sector and the considerable activities and spinoffs it will bring, we are determined to continue growing and fully assume our important role as a community developer. In 2009 over $160 million in investments were announced from all our partners combined,” noted Carol Soucy, Chairman of the Board at Port of Sept-Îles.

Port activity remains a significant source of wealth creation in Quebec and Canada. The port facilities in Sept-Îles play a vital and strategic role in the operations of many businesses working in the region’s primary sector.

The Port of Sept-Îles is at the forefront of the region’s economy and plays a key role in its development. The Port accounts for some 4,000 direct and indirect jobs and its annual economic impact has been estimated at $1 billion.

SEPT-ÎLES, September 8, 2009—The Port of Sept-Îles is proud to announce today the signing of a financial partnership agreement with the federal government to boost the capacity of La Relance terminal, which mainly serves the Aluminerie Alouette aluminum smelter. Funding to the tune of $15 million, or 50% of the project’s cost, was awarded under the Infrastructure Stimulus Fund, which provides support for infrastructure renovation and construction projects. The announcement was made in the presence of the federal MP from Lévis, Bellechasse and Les Etchemins Steven Blaney, representing the federal government, as well as Aluminerie Alouette representatives and other Sept-Îles dignitaries.

The planned expansion of La Relance terminal represents a total investment of $30 million. The project consists mainly of building an additional silo and material distribution system, increasing the volume the unloading equipment can handle, and boosting the terminal’s aluminum shipping capacity.

Aluminerie Alouette is the biggest aluminum smelter in North America, with a production capacity of 570,000 metric tons a year, or 20% of Canada’s aluminum production. The planned addition of a silo to the raw material storage system will enable the smelter to meet its future raw material supply needs and ensure its long-term survival.

“The planned expansion of La Relance terminal is essential and will create both short and long-term jobs in the region. The project will provide Aluminerie Alouette and other users of these port facilities with the efficient infrastructures they need to remain competitive and consolidate their position as international leaders,” stressed Pierre D. Gagnon, CEO of the Port of Sept-Îles.

“For the second time in two months, our federal partners have given us the means to meet the growing needs of our current and future users by enabling us to carry out this major project for the region. The support is greatly appreciated and we applaud the federal government for this Infrastructure Stimulus Fund initiative, which is so important to our port’s development,” added board chair Carol Soucy.

The Port of Sept-Îles is at the forefront of the region’s economy and plays a key role in its development. It generates an estimated $1 billion a year in economic spinoffs and accounts for some 4,000 direct and indirect jobs.

SEPT-ÎLES, July 20, 2009 – The Port of Sept-Îles is proud to announce the signing of a financial partnership with the federal government to optimize the Pointe-Noire dock, which is used for the operations of Wabush Mines. The sum of $4.5 million was granted through the Infrastructure Stimulus Fund, which provides funding for the rehabilitation and construction of provincial, municipal, and community infrastructure projects. The announcement was made today in the presence of Denis Lebel, Minister of State (Economic Development Agency for the Regions of Quebec), as well as representatives of Wabush Mines and other Sept-Îles dignitaries.

The project to optimize the Pointe-Noire dock represents an outlay of $9,070,000. It will mainly consist of a 50 meter extension to docking station no. 30, with the addition of a pile dolphin at its end, as well as structural reinforcement and rehabilitation of the dock’s concrete deck. The dock extension work will begin once environmental approvals, which are expected in early August, are granted. The work is scheduled for completion by late 2010.

The Pointe-Noire dock was acquired from Wabush Mines in 1998. Over the last ten years, the Port of Sept-Îles has invested more than $10 million in the structure. This new funding will boost business at the dock by providing greater berthing capacity for Wabush Mines and future users, and ensuring that the dock has a longer service life.

“With the anticipated start-up of new iron mines in Northern Québec, these investments are a first step in preparing for the expected growth in iron ore shipments in the coming years. They are key to fully optimizing the potential of the Pointe-Noire dock before going ahead with the addition of new infrastructures,” stated Pierre D. Gagnon, President and CEO of the Port of Sept-Îles.

“The federal government is giving us the means to meet the growing needs of our current and future users, which is essential for future development at the Port of Sept-Îles. I join the port community members and local stakeholders in applauding the federal government for this initiative under the Infrastructure Stimulus Fund, which will help us meet the needs of a rapidly growing market,” added Carol Soucy, Chairman of the Board.

The Port of Sept-Îles is at the forefront of the region’s economy and plays a key role in its development. The Port accounts for some 4,000 direct and indirect jobs and its annual economic impact has been estimated at $1 billion.