Category: Press releases

SEPT-ÎLES, January 16, 2020 – Flying the flag of Portugal, the M/V Hinrich Oldendorff from Rotterdam, Netherlands, was the first ship of 2020, with arrival in Sept-Îles recorded at 1:54 a.m. on January 1. The ship was in ballast and had to remain at anchor until January 14 before leaving two days later for Japan with a cargo of 170,000 tonnes of iron ore from the IOC Rio Tinto company. Built in 2016, the 300-metre-long bulk carrier has a total cargo capacity of 209,113 tonnes. The ship is owned by the Oldendorff Carriers company and is operated by a crew of 25 sailors.

Captain Yvan Dikiy was presented with the prestigious Port of Sept-Îles cane by Port of Sept-Îles President and CEO Pierre D. Gagnon last night during the Port of Sept-Îles New Year’s cocktail reception at the HMCS Jolliet in the presence of members of the Sept-Îles business community.

Now in its 33rd 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.

ABOUT THE PORT OF SEPT-ÎLES

With its diverse, state-of-the-art facilities, the Port of Sept-Îles is North America’s largest ore-handling port, with a projected volume of more than 35 million tonnes in 2020. The port facilities at Sept-Îles play a vital and strategic role in the economy of Eastern Canada. Annual economic impacts are estimated at nearly $1 billion and almost 4,000 direct and indirect jobs.

 

Source :

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

SEPT-ÎLES, January 16, 2020 – The Port of Sept-Îles is proud to announce an increase of more than 15% in volume handled at the port in 2019, at 29,292,000 tonnes compared to 25,363,000 tonnes the year before. This is the fourth best year since the record-setting 34,948,000 tonnes handled in 1979, and the best year since the Sept-Îles Port Authority was created in 1999. In 2019, 481 ships anchored in Sept-Îles Bay—53 more than in 2018.

THE YEAR IN REVIEW

The multi-user dock accommodated 45 vessels for a total of 7,776,000 tonnes handled, a 40% increase over 2018. Québec Iron Ore began shipping last year, and a new user, Tacora Resources Inc., brought in another 917,000 tonnes. IOC Rio Tinto also carried out split cargoes on vessels chartered by Tacora. Another major milestone—10,000,000 tonnes handled at the multi-user dock—was reached in August.

In June the Port welcomed the Honourable Marc Garneau, Minister of Transport, and Jonatan Julien, Minister of Energy and Natural Resources and Minister Responsible for the Côte-Nord Region, to a traditional ground-breaking ceremony in confirmation of the equal participation by the two levels of government to the cost of the Pointe-aux-Basques terminal modernization project, for a total of more than $13.3 million, or two-thirds of an estimated investment of $20 million.

The year 2019 also marked the 20th anniversary of the Port Authority’s financial autonomy and local management. Two open house events were held for the public. The first was on May 25, and the theme was “cruise ship passenger for a day.” Participants got to experience what it’s like to be a visiting cruise ship passenger, with whale-watching tours, museum visits, local product tastings, traditional dances, and artisans. XXL Day was held August 10 in collaboration with Table Bioalimentaire and featured a wide range of activities such as yoga, cooking demonstrations, samples of local fare, contests, a public market, and the release of the commemorative Pointe aux Basques beer by Microbrasserie La Compagnie. With tremendous support from everyone involved and an enthusiastic response from the people of Sept-Îles, the event was a huge success.

A portion of every Pointe aux Basques beer sold is donated to L’Envol–Maison de la Famille. In early December the Port and Microbrasserie La Compagnie presented the charity with the $2,000 raised.

Under its new donations and contributions policy aimed at supporting community organizations that help families, the Port has contributed to a number of local community-minded organizations, including Centre d’Action Bénévole Le Virage, Hommes Sept-Ils, l’Élyme des Sables, Station Gallix, Festival des Hivernants, Salon du Livre de la Côte-Nord, Ensemble Folklorique Tam Ti Delam, Vieux-Quai en Fête, Maison Alouette (MOCSI), L’Envol–Maison de la Famille, Comptoir Alimentaire de Sept-Îles, Âtre de Sept-Îles, Marée Motrice (Vieux Poste Hanté et Vieux Poste de Noël), Recyk et Frip, and Chantier Jeunesse Loisirs. In all, the Port invested more than $100,000 in the community in 2019.

It was also a record-breaking year for cruise ships, with the Port welcoming 18,655 passengers and crew members. The season included seven planned calls, including the grand Queen Mary 2 on two occasions, and one unplanned call by the Serenade of the Seas seeking safe harbour from Hurricane Dorian. The ship came in to port with less than 24 hours’ notice and stayed for 34 hours, to the delight of local residents and retailers.

”We are glad that we found such fitting ways to celebrate the Port’s first 20 years of autonomy and local management with our community, our people, our partners, and our users, who are the reason for everything we do. Recently, there has been sustained growth since the multi-user dock was commissioned, so the next 20 years look very bright for the Port Authority of Sept-Îles and the regional economy as a whole,” said Carol Soucy, Chair of the Port of Sept-Îles Board of Directors, and Pierre D. Gagnon, Port of Sept-Îles President and Chief Executive Officer.

ABOUT THE PORT OF SEPT-ÎLES

With its diverse, state-of-the-art facilities, the Port of Sept-Îles is one of North America’s largest ore-handling ports, with a projected volume of more than 35 million tonnes in 2020. The port facilities at Sept-Îles play a vital and strategic role in the economy of Eastern Canada. Annual economic impacts are estimated at nearly $1 billion and almost 4,000 direct and indirect jobs.

 

Source :

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

Sept-Îles, January 15, 2020 – The Marée Motrice collective and the Port of Sept-Îles will proudly inaugurate the Patinoire du gardien skating rink at Vieux Poste at 9 a.m. on Saturday, January 18. Residents are invited to lace up their skates and enjoy fun for all ages at the unique facility.

This exciting partnership aims to offer families in Sept-Îles and the community of Uashat mak Mani-Utenam opportunities to have fun and socialize in a safe and enchanting historic environment, complete with a touch of magic.

Port of Sept-Îles has provided over $16,000 under its donations and contributions policy to help build and maintain the rink and provide services to enhance the skater experience. This partnership is part of the festivities marking the Port of Sept-Îles 20th anniversary as an autonomous entity.

The partners invite residents to take full advantage of the unique facility with family and friends and groups.

For information on the rink schedule, visit the Marée Motrice, Gardien du Vieux Poste, and Port of Sept-Îles Facebook pages.

About the Port de 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 of more than 35 million tonnes for 2020. The port facilities at Sept-Îles play a vital and strategic role in the economy of Eastern Canada. Annual economic impacts are estimated at nearly $1 billion and almost 4,000 direct and indirect jobs.

About Marée Motrice

Marée Motrice’s mission is to create cultural experiences that bring people together and enhance the reputation of the Sept-Îles area and the North Shore in general. The Marée Motrice collective brings together partners and volunteers to promote and develop City of Sept-Îles and Uashat mak Mani-Utenam infrastructure and institutions by producing non-partisan performances and temporary and permanent installations primarily intended for the general public.

 

Sources :

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

Alex Rodrigue
Marée Motrice
418 409-3243
maree.motrice@gmail.com

Sept-Îles, December 11, 2019 – On August 10, at the Port Day event at Mgr-Blanche wharf, the Port of Sept-Îles and Microbrasserie La Compagnie proudly unveiled a brand new beer called “Pointe aux Basques.” The new brew is the result of a joint initiative to mark the local port authority’s 20th anniversary.

For each beer sold, the Port of Sept-Îles and Microbrasserie La Compagnie pledged to make a donation to a community organization that supports families in Sept-Îles. The first organization to benefit from the partnership is Maison de la famille l’Envol, a family support centre.

With the holiday season approaching, and given the many needs in the community, the Port of Sept-Îles and Microbrasserie La Compagnie are pleased to announce a $2,000 donation to Maison de la famille L’Envol family support centre, after just four months of sales.

“We couldn’t have hoped for better results from this partnership with Microbrasserie La Compagnie,” said Pierre D. Gagnon, President and CEO of the Port of Sept-Îles. “We have the same philosophy on the importance of helping those in need in our community—it’s a responsibility we take on proudly. L’Envol makes a very valuable contribution to our community and we are more than happy to help, especially at this time of year.”

“We are very proud of our partnership with the Port of Sept-Îles,” said Billy Dumas, Co-owner of La Compagnie. “We created Pointe au Basques for two reasons: to make a meaningful contribution to our community and to highlight an important milestone in our industrial history—the beginning of port operations in Sept-Îles.”

We want to thank fans of Pointe aux Basques and hope the holidays will be a good opportunity for more people to give it a try. That way, we can provide even greater support for L’Envol and the families it serves. A donation will be made for each Pointe aux Basques beer sold until August, a full year after the beer was launched.

“To boost fundraising even further, we have decided to offer Pointe aux Basques in cans, so those who are feeling extra generous can proudly stock it in their fridges at home,” said Billy Dumas.

About the Port de 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 of close to 30 million tonnes for 2019. The port facilities at Sept-Îles play a vital and strategic role in the economy of Eastern Canada. Annual economic impacts are estimated at nearly $1 billion and almost 4,000 direct and indirect jobs.

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. La Compagnie has become a must-visit attraction in the region.

 

Source :

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

Billy Dumas
Co-owner
Microbrasserie La Compagnie
418 961-2337

Québec City, September 19, 2019 – The St. Lawrence Economic Development Council (SODES) and the Human Resources Sectorial Committee of the Maritime Industry (CSMOIM) are proud to present the very first edition of Maritime Employment Week, a virtual marine-sector careers promotion campaign that will run September 23-29, 2019.

This 100% virtual, joint SODES/CSMOIM initiative is aimed at making the general public aware of the different jobs available in the Québec maritime industry by disseminating relevant information and demystifying certain popular beliefs about the industry through catchy posts on social networks.

In a human resources shortage context, Maritime Employment Week is extremely pertinent as it seeks to promote exciting careers that the public often knows little about and to ensure a new generation of marine-sector workers for the years to come. To reach the different target audiences, the week’s theme-based messages will be posted on both associations’ Facebook pages. To conclude Maritime Employment Week, a contest will be launched on social networks, enabling participants to test their knowledge of the industry. The winner will receive a cruise on the St. Lawrence River, courtesy of Croisières AML.

Maritime companies join forces

To maximize the campaign’s visibility, SODES and CSMOIM have called on various marine industry companies to share the posts on their own social networks. Many maritime organizations throughout Québec have agreed to mobilize and re-post these messages to their own virtual communities. The involvement of these different Québec marine-sector players will allow Maritime Employment Week to have a significant impact and to considerably increase its audience.

Details

What: Maritime Employment Week
When: September 23-29, 2019
Where: On the social networks of various Québec marine industry companies

About the Human Resources Sectorial Committee of the Maritime Industry

The Human Resources Sectorial Committee of the Maritime Industry (CSMOIM) is a non-profit organization comprising maritime industry employers and workers. Since 2001, its mission has been to implement human resources and skills development projects and promote marine industry trades and occupations in order to help companies become more competitive and boost job growth in its activity sector.

About the St. Lawrence Economic Development Council

The St. Lawrence Economic Development Council (SODES) plays a key role in economic activity related to the St. Lawrence River. It is the voice of the maritime community, representing its interests and projects in all forums and before all authorities where our economic future is at stake. With its many members from all walks of life, SODES works to promote the development of the St. Lawrence River in keeping with sustainable development principles.

About the Port of Sept-Îles

Boasting diverse, state-of-the-art facilities, the Port of Sept-Îles is one of North America’s largest ore-handling ports, with a projected volume of more than 35 million tonnes for 2019. The port facilities at Sept-Îles play a vital and strategic role in the economy of Eastern Canada. Annual economic impacts are estimated at nearly $1 billion and almost 4,000 direct and indirect jobs.

 

Sources and informations :

Laurence Jolicoeur
Communications Officer
Human Resources Sectorial Committee of the Maritime Industry (CSMOIM)
418-694-9059, ext. 223
ljolicoeur@csmoim.qc.ca

Cassandra Fortin
Communications Coordinator
St. Lawrence Economic Development Council (SODES)
418-520-9892, ext. 203
cassandra.fortin@st-laurent.org

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

Sept-Îles August 12, 2019 – The Port of Sept-Îles and Microbrasserie La Compagnie were proud to unveil their brand new beer at Mgr-Blanche wharf during XXL Day on Saturday. The beer is the result of a joint initiative to mark the local port authority’s 20th anniversary and will be marketed under the name “POINTE AUX BASQUES.”

A beer with a cause

POINTE AUX BASQUES is more than an aaaah-inducing thirst quencher, it’s also a brew with a cause: for each POINTE AUX BASQUES beer sold, the Port of Sept-Îles and Microbrasserie La Compagnie will make a donation to a Sept-Îles community organization. The first beneficiary of this partnership is L’ENVOL-Maison de la famille.

A commemorative beer

POINTE AUX BASQUES boasts citrus and apricot aromas with a slightly grassy touch. Port of Sept-Îles and Microbrasserie La Compagnie teamed up to create this ultra-refreshing beer, which is named after the port terminal built in the early 1950s to help develop the city, and that still serves as a gateway to the Sept-Îles area and the city’s hinterland.

As well as offering POINTE AUX BASQUES at its microbrassery, La Compagnie plans to release the beer in cans. This exciting and original project marks another big step forward for the aspiring young brewery.

The partners have high hopes for this product, which promises to bring benefits to both them and the community. They encourage people to get behind the brand and the cause—in moderation of course!

About the Port de Sept-Îles

Boasting diverse, state-of-the-art facilities, the Port of Sept-Îles is one of North America’s largest ore-handling ports, with a projected volume of more than 35 million tonnes for 2019. The port facilities at Sept-Îles play a vital and strategic role in the economy of Eastern Canada. Annual economic impacts are estimated at nearly $1 billion and almost 4,000 direct and indirect jobs.

About Microbrasserie La Compagnie

Microbrasserie La Compagnie is a craft brewery that makes and sells beer inspired by Sept-Îles’ industrial roots. The company opened its doors at 15 rue Père-Divet in December, 2018, and sells its beers in a pub adjacent to the brewery. The pub offers a simple and original menu full of local flavor to complete the microbrewery experience. It has become a must-visit attraction in the region.

 

Source :

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

Billy Dumas
Co-owner
Microbrasserie La Compagnie
418 961-2337

SEPT-ÎLES, June 19, 2019 – The Port of Sept-Îles is very pleased with the announcements made today confirming that two levels of government will participate in equal measure to modernize the Pointe-aux-Basques Terminal, for a total investment of more than $13.3 million, or two-thirds of the estimated total cost of $20 million.

The Honourable Marc Garneau, Minister of Transport, and Jonatan Julien, Minister of Energy and Natural Resources and Minister Responsible for the Côte-Nord Region, announced the funding at a ground-breaking ceremony.

The Port of Sept-Îles will receive $6.7 million through the federal government’s National Trade Corridors Fund (NTCF) and $6.7 million through Ministère des Transports du Québec’s program to support investments in maritime transport infrastructure, Programme de soutien aux investissements dans les infrastructures de transport maritime (PSIITM). The project to restore and modernize the Pointe-aux-Basques Terminal is expected to cost $20 million. The Port of Sept-Îles will supply the balance, equal to a third of the total cost.

Built in 1950, the Pointe-aux-Basques Terminal has always been intermodal, serving as the port of entry for goods being shipped north and the main terminal for people and goods moving to and from the isolated villages of the Basse-Côte-Nord.

The modernization will bring the Pointe-aux-Basques Terminal up to standard and make improvements that will allow it to better meet the current demand for short sea shipping, which is rising on the promise of stronger markets, and also serve as a transit point for a wider range of goods. The terminal’s strategic location and intermodality are major assets in this. Indeed, a number of industrial mineral operations already plan to use the terminal for their exports, moving ore by train from further inland and down from the Great North and onto ships waiting at the terminal.

The modernization couldn’t come at a better time. With the growing iron market expected to generate upwards of 20 to 30 million tons of ore in the coming years, the terminal will be called on to play a greater role in moving supplies up to the mining companies operating in Labrador and Northern Québec.

“With so much heavy vehicle traffic on Route 138, Pointe-aux-Basques is an excellent alternative for the sustainable transport of goods as they transit through our region. For each ton shipped to our region, modal transfer from road transport to maritime transport will have a significant positive impact on our GHG emissions and will help improve driving conditions for everyone in the Côte-Nord. We’d like to thank both the provincial and federal governments for their support, which shows a real awareness of the issues affecting our region,” said Carol Soucy, Board Chair, and Pierre Gagnon, President and CEO of the Port of Sept-Îles, in a joint statement.

ABOUT THE PORT OF SEPT-ÎLES

Boasting diverse, state-of-the-art facilities, the Port of Sept-Îles is North America’s largest ore-handling port, with an expected volume of more than 35 million tons in 2019. The port facilities at Sept-Îles play a vital and strategic role in the economy of Eastern Canada. Annual economic impacts are estimated at nearly $1 billion and almost 4,000 direct and indirect jobs.

Source :

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

Sept-Îles, January 21, 2019 – The M/V Frontier Voyager, a Panama registered vessel, sailing from Kimistu in Japan, was the first ship to arrive in Sept-Îles this year at 3 p.m. on January 9, 2019. The vessel arrived in ballast and will set sail again on January 22, 2019 with 170 000 tons of iron ore from IOC Rio Tinto Mining Company destined for Rotterdam in Holland.

During a short ceremony, Mr. Pierre Gagnon, President and CEO of the Port of Sept-Îles, presented Captain Paeg Sung Hon with the prestigious cane bearing the Port of Sept-Îles insignia.

Several gifts were also offered to the Captain by Mr. Réjean Porlier, Mayor of the City of Sept-Îles, as well as by Mr. Benoit Méthot, General Manager Port and Railway QNS&L, IOC Rio Tinto Mining Company, by Mrs. Lucie Lessard, President of the Seamen’s Center, by Mr. Pierre Côté, Chairman of the Port of Sept-Îles and by Mr. Pierre Gagnon, President and CEO of the Port of Sept-Îles.

This tradition, now in its 32nd year, marks the arrival of the first ship of the year to call the Port. To be eligible, the vessel must come directly from a foreign Port and be bound for a destination outside the country without making any other calls at a Canadian Port.

ABOUT THE PORT OF SEPT-ÎLES

Boasting diverse, state-of-the-art facilities, the Port of Sept-Îles is one of North America’s largest ore-handling ports, with an expected volume of more than 30 million tons in 2019. The port facilities at Sept-Îles play a vital and strategic role in the economy of Eastern Canada. Annual economic impacts are estimated at nearly $1 billion and almost 4,000 direct and indirect jobs.

 

Source :

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

SEPT-ÎLES, January 16, 2019 – The Port of Sept-Îles is delighted to announce an increase of 4.7% in volume handled over last year at 25,375,000 tons this year, compared to last year’s 24,231,000 tons. The startup of operations at the multi‑user dock accounted for the entire increase, with over 5.5 million tons handled, which made up for the drop in shipping caused by the labour dispute at IOC Rio Tinto early in the year.

THE YEAR IN REVIEW

We can look back proudly on a successful start for the multi-user dock, with 31 ships loaded in 2018. Its annual capacity of 50 million tons makes it a world-class facility. There are many highly notable accomplishments behind the year’s total volume:

• The successful startup of the Bloom Lake iron mine, whose production exceeded projections. Congratulations to Quebec Iron Ore, a subsidiary of Champion Iron Mines Limited.
• Delivery by Société ferroviaire et portuaire de Pointe-Noire (SFPPN) of its conveyor to connect the new dock and the successful startup of its handling and storage operations.
• Challenges surmounted with aplomb by multi‑user dock operator Logistec, in charge of operations and maintenance, and by the Port’s multi‑user dock team.

The Port made a splash in September with the acquisition of 17 works by local artist Jean-Pier Synnott for display at the Monseigneur Blanche terminal. The outdoor exhibit near the docks provides an additional cultural attraction, not just for cruise ship passengers and tourists, but also for everyone in the Sept-Îles area.

Also in September, the Port had to shut down the Pointe-aux-Basques intermodal terminal pending its securing the funds for the necessary repairs and modernization. Pointe-aux-Basques is the gateway for supplies en route to the hinterland and a port of call supplying the isolated villages of the Lower North Shore.

Another highlight was the arrival of Tacora Resources in November, which completed its financing to restart the Scully Mine and purchased part of New Millennium Iron’s contract with the Port to become a new user of the multi‑user dock. Tacora will significantly increase the Port’s annual volumes, adding a projected 6 million tons per year, and will invest close to $50 million in early 2019 to adapt the SFPPN facilities.

In December the City of Sept-Îles and the Port released the results of the Environmental Observatory for the Bay of Sept-Îles’s five-year study, with the data and findings from phases I, II, and III. The data and studies found the environment to be in good condition overall and will serve as a baseline for future protection and management of the Bay of Sept-Îles’s priceless ecosystem.

The 2018 cruise ship season clocked in as the second best the Port has ever had, with five ships and 7,960 passengers and crew members. And who could forget the second visit of the Queen Mary 2 in September, along with a visit by Mylène Paquette to talk about her perilous Atlantic crossing!

“Without any doubt, the multi-user dock sparked a revival of iron ore activities in 2018,” said Port of Sept-Îles president and CEO Pierre D. Gagnon. “The dock is a world-class strategic infrastructure that’s already a powerful driver of the Port’s growth and development.”

ABOUT THE PORT OF SEPT-ÎLES

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

 

Source :

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