Category: Press releases

Sept-Îles, July 8, 2009 – The Port of Sept-Îles team, in the presence of a number of its partners, including Mr. Ghislain Lévesque, mayor of the City of Sept-Îles, Mr. Georges-Ernest Grégoire, chief of the Innu Takuaikan Uashat mak Mani-Utenam Band Council, and Mr. Claude Parent of Pomerleau, proudly announced the official launch of construction of the Cruise Ship Dock today at a groundbreaking ceremony.

The Pomerleau construction company was awarded the $18.2 million contract to build a dock at the far end of the Mgr. Blanche wharf to accommodate ships up to 315 meters long and carrying up to 2,500 passengers. This major project, which will take 18 months to complete and be ready by fall 2010, will be one of the biggest investments ever in Port facilities since the construction of the La Relance wharf in 1986.

Attracting international cruise ships to Sept-Îles has required nearly $30 million in investments in three separate areas port facility enhancement, improvements to tourism facilities in Sept-Îles, and the creation of tourism facilities in the Innu community. Funding for construction of the wharf was recently secured with the May 19 announcement that both the federal and provincial governments would back the project to the tune of $6.6 million and $6.4 million respectively. The remaining funds will come from the Port, the City of Sept-Îles, and the Band Council.

“After joining local residents in celebrating the arrival of the first international cruise ship to visit Sept-Îles – Holland America Line Inc’s MS Maasdam – we are very pleased to officially break ground and begin what is sure to make Sept-Îles a premier stop on the St. Lawrence River in the coming years,” stated Port of Sept-Îles Chair of the Board of Directors Carol Soucy and President and CEO Pierre D. Gagnon.

The Port of Sept-Îles is at 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 and generates some 4,000 direct and indirect jobs.

SEPT-ÎLES, May 19, 2009 – At 7 am on Tuesday, May 19, 2009, the MS Maasdam, en route from Fort Lauderdale Florida and flying the flag of the Netherlands, entered history as the first ever international cruise ship to stop over at Sept-Îles. The ship, with a capacity of 1,258 passengers and 557 crew members, sails today for Saguenay.

Note that during its 14 day trip, the ship called the Ports of Charleston, Newport, Bar Harbor, Halifax, Sydney, Charlottetown, and Gaspé. Upcoming ports of call include Saguenay, Quebec City, and Montreal.

During a special ceremony, Captain Hendrik Draper received the prestigious Gold Headed Cane, representing the Port, from Pierre D. Gagnon, President and CEO of the Port of Sept-Îles, who wished to mark this historic event with the celebrated cane traditionally reserved for the first ship of the year, in recognition of this first ever international cruise ship.

“The arrival of the MS Maasdam is the result of the dedicated efforts of the team of Destination Sept-Îles Nakauinanu, who, after two years of organizing, coordinating, and liaising between the numerous key members of our community and the cruise ship industry, can now pride themselves on a job well done. Today we can state without hesitation, mission accomplished!”, declared Mr. Gagnon.

In particular, the Board Chair of the Port of Sept-Îles, Carol Soucy, wished to applaud the contribution of Mrs. Élizabeth Blais, a pioneer in this project and member of the Port of Sept-Îles Board of Directors from 2004 to 2005. “She became involved in “Association des croisières du Saint-Laurent” in 2005 and helped establish Destination Sept-Îles Nakauinanu, where her outstanding dedication and commitment have led directly to the success we celebrate today,” said Mr. Soucy.

The Port of Sept-Îles is at 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 and includes the creation of some 4,000 direct and indirect jobs.

Sept-Îles, May 19, 2009—The Port of Sept-Îles, together with its partners including the City of Sept-Îles and the Innu Takuaikan Uashat mak Mani-Utenam Band Council, is pleased to announce today that it has entered into a financial partnership with the federal and provincial governments for the completion of its cruise ship dock. This announcement was part of a ceremony welcoming the first international cruise ship, during which the Honorable Denis Lebel, Federal Minister of State (Economic Development Agency for the Regions of Quebec), and Nicole Ménard, Provincial Minister of Tourism, confirmed the respective contributions of their ministries, which will each be equivalent to nearly two-third of project costs.

These financial contributions will be added to those of the local partners, which represent the remaining third, bringing the investments required to complete port infrastructure to slightly over $20 million. The new dock, to be located at the end of the Mgr. Blanche Terminal, will accommodate ships up to 315 meters long with passenger capacities in excess of 2,500 persons. With an 18 month construction schedule, this immense project will be one of the Port’s most substantial infrastructure investments since the La Relance Terminal in 1986.

The overall project to bring international cruise ships to Sept-Îles, which represents nearly $30 million in total investment, has three components: port infrastructures, improvement of tourist facilities within the city, and tourist facilities in the Inuit community. Project financing will be shared by the federal and provincial governments as well as by the Port, City of Sept-Îles, and the Band Council.

“From the very start, all socioeconomic stakeholders in Sept-Îles have agreed on the significant effect that this project will have on regional development as well as its key potential for our two communities, aboriginal and non-aboriginal,” said Mr. Pierre D. Gagnon, President and CEO of the Port of Sept-Îles. “Sept-Îles Tourism, the CLD, SADC, COPIC, the Band Council, and the Sept-Îles Chamber of Commerce have all joined together to support Destination Sept-Îles Nakauinanu (DSIN) in this large-scale project that will let the entire world discover our beautiful area and—in addition to enhancing regional tourism—will help increase the number of tourists who visit Sept-Îles each year.”

“Today, as we celebrate the arrival of the first international cruise ship—the MS Maasdam from the Holland America Line Inc.—in Sept-Îles, our two government entities, through their financial support, are giving us the green light to create the port infrastructure needed to make Sept-Îles a leading port of call on the St. Lawrence in the years to come,” said Mmr. 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’s annual economic impact has been estimated at $1 billion and includes the creation of some 4,000 direct and indirect jobs.

Sept-Îles, January 27, 2009 — The Port of Sept-Îles, in the presence of its major partners, the City of Sept-Îles, the Innu Takuaikan Uashat mak Mani-Utenam Band Council, and Destination Sept-Îles Nakauinanu, announced the awarding of a $356,000 contract to Axor Experts-Conseils for detail engineering and the preparation of tender specifications for the cruise ship dock.

Following the preliminary studies begun last May, this new step in engineering efforts will result in the production of final plans for the dock, including cost estimates. It will allow the Port to launch a call for bids for the construction of the dock, which could begin in summer 2009.

With the preliminary engineering phase complete, the Port of Sept-Îles was also proud to unveil the final conceptual plans for the cruise ship dock. The new dock will be located at the Mgr. Blanche wharf and will be able to accommodate ships up to 315 meters long and with a 2,500 passenger capacity. “With an 18 month schedule, this project of almost $20 million is one of the largest infrastructure investments to take place at the Port since work on the Relance wharf in 1986,” declared President and CEO Pierre D. Gagnon.

At the same time, requests for funding from both levels of government to support the cruise ship project are moving forward. All partners have submitted their respective business plans to Canada Economic Development and Quebec’s Ministère du Tourisme. “Working with a three-party financial participation model, we have already confirmed the local contribution from the Port of Sept-Îles, the City, and the Band Council, and are hoping to receive confirmation from the two other levels of government by spring,” said Carol Soucy, Chairman of the Board of the Port of Sept-Îles.

“The arrival of the cruise ships is a great opportunity to diversify our economy. We are proud to see the Port, our greatest development tool, work successfully in close collaboration with its partners to accomplish these major steps towards developing a port of call for cruise ships in the most beautiful bay in the Americas,” declared Sept-Îles mayor Ghislain Lévesque.

“The completion of this major project in partnership with the Port and the City of Sept-Îles helps draw our communities together. Promoting Innu culture through this cruise ship project is a sign of progress in restoring the central role of culture within our own community,” stated Band Council Vice-Chief Mike McKenzie.

“By awarding this cruise ship dock detail engineering contract, we have taken another crucial step toward completing this community project and ensuring its viability,” added Marc Brouillette, Chairman of the Board of Destination Sept-Îles Nakauinanu.

The Port of Sept-Îles is at the forefront of the region’s economy and plays a key role in its development. It generates some $1 billion annually, and creates some 4,000 direct and indirect jobs.

SEPT-ÎLES, January 23, 2009 – The Port of Sept-Îles is pleased to announce that it has renewed its Twin Port agreement originally signed in 1992 with the Port of Vancouver. The ceremony was held today at the Port of Sept-Îles in the presence of Captain Gordon Houston, President & Chief Executive Officer of Port Metro Vancouver, Carol Soucy and Pierre D. Gagnon, respectively Chairman and Chief Executive Officer or the Port of Sept-Îles and other distinguished guests of the Sept-Îles community.

The original agreement was a first among Ports in Canada. For more than fifteen years the Twin Ports have benefited from each others expertise and know how in their respective fields. Over the years, members of each Port have liaised with each other in order to exchange on different avenues such as trade corridors, bulk cargo, the container industry as well as the cruise line market. Promoting the use of short-sea shipping is also at the heart of the sustainable development strategies of both ports in order to support initiatives in the overall reduction of greenhouse gas emissions.

In the past year, both Ports have gone through major changes with the amalgamation of three ports on the west coast to create Port Metro Vancouver and a new modern image for the Port of Sept-Îles. “With these major changes at both Ports, the timing was right to renew our Twin Port Agreement. We wish to continue to share expertise from which the other can benefit and pursue with our shared vision of fostering the growth of our Canadian port system,” declared Captain Gordon Houston and Pierre D. Gagnon.

“Recent studies revealed that maritime transportation might more than double in Canada by 2015. As the two largest bulk ports in Canada, we reaffirm today that our willingness to continue the cooperation and assistance is the right action in order to maximize this growth opportunity for our respective regions,” declared Carol Soucy, Chairman of the Port of Sept-Îles.

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, January 14, 2009—The Port of Sept-Îles is proud to announce that its cargo handling activities increased nearly 6% in 2008—over a million metric tons. That means some 22,621,581 metric tons were handled in 2008 compared to 21,367,838 metric tons during the previous year. Highlights include the fourth consecutive year of business volume growth for the La Relance terminal, with 2,174,863 metric tons handled. Aluminum shipments via the Blue Highway remained steady in 2008 with 490,665 metric tons shipped, representing nearly 90% of Aluminerie Alouette production. Traffic at the Port of Sept-Îles diversified in 2008 thanks to the new railway transshipment center and railcar ferry at La Relance terminal. The Georges Alexandre Lebel railcar ferry made over 30 trips during the year, transporting over 30,000 metric tons of goods for our major industries.

“The inauguration of a railway transshipment center served by the Georges-Alexandre Lebel railcar ferry last November marked a major milestone in the Port’s history by providing new infrastructure for our industry, our region, and our projects in the North,” said Port of Sept-Îles CEO Pierre D. Gagnon, adding, “We live in an age where climate change forces us to reduce our environmental footprint by adopting better practices. This new service arrives just in time. By combining more energy efficient sea and rail transportation methods, we can reduce greenhouse gas emissions and provide an alternative to an already overcrowded Highway 138.”

“The success of this project undoubtedly rests on the invaluable assistance provided by the Port’s main users and COPIC (Corporation de promotion industrielle et commerciale de Sept-Îles) over the last fifteen years,” stated board chair Carol Soucy. “In particular, I wish to mention Wabush Mines’ extraordinary initiative in allowing the Port to be linked to their network. This is a testament to the mining company’s desire to support the success and development of the local economy and industry,” he added.

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, January 9, 2009—Flying a Belgian flag, the M/V Lowlands Orchid was the first ship of the year to dock at the Port of Sept-Îles, arriving from Koper, Slovenia at 11:00 p.m., January 8, 2009. Once her cargo is unloaded, the vessel will set off again for Beilun, China on January 10, 2009, with a cargo of 165,000 metric tons of iron ore from the Iron Ore Company of Canada (IOC).

During a brief ceremony on board ship, Captain Acosta Monis was awarded the prestigious gold-headed cane representing the Port of Sept-Îles by Carol Soucy and Pierre D. Gagnon, respectively Chairman and President Chief Executive Officer of the Port of Sept-Îles.

Jean Masse of the City of Sept-Îles and IOC’s Robert Girardin and Patrice Tremblay also offered gifts.

This tradition, now in its 22rd year, celebrates the arrival of the first ship of the year to dock at the Port of Sept-Îles. To be eligible, the vessel must arrive from another country and leave for a destination outside Canada.

The Port of Sept-Îles is at 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.

An essential link for developing a new rail and maritime route to the North

Sept-Iles, November 14, 2008 – The rail transshipment center at La Relance port terminal was officially inaugurated today in the presence of Quebec Premier Jean Charest and many representatives of the North Shore socioeconomic community. This new strategic port infrastructure will contribute to the development of a new rail and maritime transport route for the region as well as to Northern Quebec.

Thanks to investments from the Port of Sept-Iles and the Quebec government, this transshipment center will combine rail and maritime transport, two complementary and sustainable means of transport which notably help reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Investments totalling $13.7 million since 2005 have made possible the construction of a 1.8 km railway link between the North Shore and the North American network in 2006, and more recently the construction of a rail shed, the upgrading of a railcar ferry landing pier, and the completion of the rail transshipment center at La Relance terminal.

?This new transport route, which represents a choice alternative to the road network, gives regional businesses access to the North American rail network via a railcar ferry between Sept-Iles and Matane. The railway route towards Labrador and New Quebec is now accessible from anywhere in North America, a major strategic advantage for the region,? said Port of Sept-Iles president and CEO Pierre D. Gagnon.

The Port of Sept-Iles is currently undergoing significant expansion resulting from a boom in the world iron ore market, and these new services will strengthen the Port of Sept-Iles’ position as a strategic intermodal port in the St. Lawrence and Great Lakes corridor, as well as a future rail and maritime transport hub to supply and develop the North.

?The major industries in the region were demanding this railway development in order to increase their competitiveness, their access to markets, and their business potential. The completion of these new infrastructures reflects the vision shared by the Port and its industrial partners, as well as the Quebec government’s determination to actively combat climate change by promoting sustainable means of transport,? said Board chair Carol Soucy.

The Port of Sept-Iles is at the forefront of the regional economy and is a key player in its economic development. Its economic impact has been evaluated at nearly 4,000 direct and indirect jobs and annual business activity worth $1 billion.

SEPT-ÎLES, July 2, 2008 – The Port of Sept-Îles is pleased to announce the nomination of Mr. Avit Ouellet and Mr. François Turmel to its board of directors.

Mr. Ouellet was appointed on the recommendation of Port of Sept-Iles’ users and Mr. Turmel was appointed as a representative of the federal government, by the Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities, the Honorable Lawrence Cannon.

Mr. Avit Ouellet holds a Bachelor of Arts from Séminaire de Rimouski and a Master’s in Administrative Sciences and Communications from Université Laval in Quebec City. Mr. Ouellet retired in 2000, after a long career with the Iron Ore Company of Canada where he began in 1971, and where he held increasingly senior positions in finance and administration. He has been a board member of diverse Quebec associations and companies. Mr. Ouellet has been appointed to the Port of Sept-Iles board of directors for a three-year term.

Mr. François Turmel holds an Industrial Design Diploma from École technique de Québec. He is currently President of Constructions BLH Inc. and of Gestion Majicor Enr., two companies that specialize in the construction of industrial and commercial buildings. Mr. Turmel is a former Director of the Chamber of Commerce and of Corporation de promotion industrielle et commerciale de Sept-Îles. He has been appointed to the Port Sept-Iles board of directors for a two-year term.

The Port of Sept-Iles and the board members would like to welcome the new Directors, whose vast experience and expertise will undoubtedly contribute to the Port’s continued development.

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.

The Port of Sept-Îles direction is pleased to announce the nomination of Mr. Avit Ouellet and Mr. François Turmel to its board of directors.

Mr. Ouellet was appointed on the recommendation of Port of Sept-Iles’ users and Mr. Turmel was appointed as a representative of the federal government, namely the Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities, the Honorable Lawrence Cannon.

Mr. Avit Ouellet holds a Bachelor of Arts from Séminaire de Rimouski and a Master’s in Administrative Sciences and Communications from Université Laval in Quebec City. Mr. Ouellet retired in 2000, after a long career with the Iron Ore Company of Canada where he began in 1971 on the railway (QNS&L), and where he held increasingly senior positions in finance and administration. He has been a board member of diverse Quebec associations and companies. Mr. Ouellet has been appointed to the Port of Sept-Iles board of directors for a three-year term.

Mr. François Turmel holds an Industrial Design Diploma from École technique de Québec. He is currently President of Constructions BLH Inc. and of Gestion Majicor enr., two companies that specialize in the construction of industrial and commercial buildings. Mr. Turmel is a former Director of the Chamber of Commerce and of Corporation de promotion industrielle et commerciale de Sept-Îles. He has been appointed to the Port Sept-Iles board of directors for a two-year term.

The Port of Sept-Iles and the board members would like to welcome the new Directors, whose vast experience and expertise will undoubtedly contribute to the Port’s continued development.

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.

The Port of Sept-Îles is a major player in the local economy and one of the pillars of its economic development. Its economic impact has been estimated to account for almost 4,000 direct and indirect jobs and $1 billion in annual economic activity.