Category: Press releases

SEPT-ÎLES, le 10 avril 2017 – Le Port de Sept-Îles se réjouit de l’annonce d’hier, lors d’une conférence de presse tenue à la Pointe-Noire, de l’entente entre le gouvernement du Québec et les deux sociétés minières Tata Steel Minerals Canada et Minerai de fer Québec inc., une filiale de Champion Iron Limited, ayant conduit à la création d’une société en commandite s’appuyant sur le modèle multi-usager mis de l’avant par le Port en 2012 pour la construction du quai multi-usager. Rappelons que ce modèle novateur de financement impliquant le partage des coûts entre de multiples partenaires fut alors reconnu comme une première au pays dans le financement des infrastructures portuaires.

Tel qu’expliqué lors de la conférence de presse, par monsieur Robert Sauvé, président-directeur général de la Société du Plan Nord, la structure d’entente qui s’appliquera aux installations de la Société ferroviaire et portuaire de Pointe-Noire permettra dorénavant le partage des couts d’opération et d’investissement selon les volumes de manutention réservé par chacun. Elle s’appuiera sur les principes multi-usager élaborés dans le modèle du Port et permettra ainsi l’arrivée de nouveaux usagers.

« Le Port tient à reconnaitre le leadership du gouvernement du Québec dans la mise en place de ce modèle d’affaires novateur qui crée en Amérique du Nord un terminal de manutention et d’entreposage unique de par sa composition et sa mission multi-usager, » de déclarer monsieur Pierre Gagnon, président-directeur général du Port de Sept-Îles.

À PROPOS DU PORT DE SEPT-ÎLES

Disposant d’installations diversifiées et efficaces, le Port de Sept-Îles est l’un des plus importants ports minéraliers en Amérique du Nord avec un volume d’activités de près de 25 millions de tonnes annuellement. La présence des infrastructures portuaires de Sept-Îles joue un rôle vital et stratégique en support de l’économie de l’est du Canada. Son rayonnement a été évalué à tout près de 4000 emplois directs et indirects avec une activité économique annuelle de près de 1 milliard de dollars.

Source :
Patsy Keays
Directrice, Affaires corporatives
Port de Sept-Îles
pkeays@portsi.com
418 961-1235

SEPT-ÎLES, September 14, 2017 – RMS Queen Mary 2 will be berthed at Sept-Îles from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., October 2, following updates to the ship’s itinerary by Cunard Cruise Lines in response to speed limits recently brought in for the west section of the Gulf of St. Lawrence.

The Port of Sept-Îles understands the exceptional challenges cruise lines are facing at the present time, and we unhesitatingly agreed to the last-minute request from our distinguished guest, whose first official visit to Sept-Îles had been announced for September 2018.

The people of Sept-Îles and all Destination Sept-Îles Nakauinanu partners will be called on more than ever to provide their habitual warm welcome to our very special visitors. If you’re interested in taking part in this special day in any capacity, please let us know at dsin@portsi.com.

ABOUT THE QUEEN MARY 2

The RMS Queen Mary 2 isn’t just one of biggest ocean liners ever, it’s the acknowledged queen of them all. It was recently renovated and has a capacity of 2,600 passengers in addition to a crew of 1,250.

• Tall as a 23-storey building
• Length of 4 football fields
• Gross tonnage of 151,400 tons
• 345 metres long
• 40 metres across

Technical information of Queen Mary 2

Source:
Marie-Ève Duguay
Executive Director
Destination Sept-Îles Nakauinanu
meduguay@portsi.com
418 961-1228

SEPT-ÎLES, July 21, 2017 – The Port of Sept-Îles is delighted that Société ferroviaire et portuaire de Pointe-Noire (SFPPN) has retained local contractor Groupe G7 to build the conveyor that will link the multi-user dock to SFPPN storage facilities. This local contract, a $15 million investment on the part of SFPPN, is in keeping with the agreements stipulating that users of the multi-user dock are responsible for linking it to their storage facilities.

This new regional infrastructure project follows on the December strategic agreements between SFPPN and the Port of Sept-Îles setting out the terms and conditions for priority construction of the conveyor.

As the instigator of the multi-user approach and partner with SFPPN from day one, the Port will cooperate in every way possible to ensure the project is delivered on time so that loading operations can start at the multi-user dock before the end of the year.

“We’d like to acknowledge the Québec government’s leadership in helping ensure that the contract benefits the region by going to a local company. Government investments at Pointe-Noire in recent years show that Québec is attentive to the region’s needs and realizes the importance of supporting the iron mining industry,” said Pierre Gagnon, CEO of the Port of Sept-Îles.

ABOUT THE PORT OF SEPT-ÎLES

Boasting diverse, state-of-the-art facilities, the Port of Sept-Îles is one of North America’s largest ore-handling ports, with an annual volume of close to 25 million tonnes. 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
pkeays@portsi.com
418 961-1235

SEPT-ÎLES, January 17, 2017 – The volume of cargo handled at the Port of Sept-Îles increased 1% in 2016 to 23 million tonnes compared with 22.7 million tonnes in 2015. Mining company IOC Rio Tinto increased its shipments with 18.6 million tonnes in 2016 versus 17.8 million tonnes the previous year. And Tata Steel Minerals Canada shipped 1.6 million tonnes in 2016 compared with 2.3 million in 2015.

The year in review

2016 could not have got off to a better start with the Superior Court of Quebec approving, on February 1, the Port of Sept-Îles’s transaction to acquire part of the land owned by the Wabush mining company as part of proceedings initiated by Wabush under the Companies’ Creditors Arrangement Act (C-36). The acquisition of this vast tract of land (407 hectares) allowed the Port to increase the space available for development near its three port facilities—the Pointe-Noire dock, the Relance dock, and the new multi-user dock.

In the same vein, the Quebec government, along with Société ferroviaire et portuaire de Pointe-Noire (SFPPN), became a new Port user and partner by acquiring all of the mining company’s other assets covered by the sale procedure under the same law. As a result, in December the Port and SFPPN signed important, strategic long-term commercial agreements to develop the full potential of Pointe-Noire now and into the future.

Additionally, the City and Port of Sept-Îles confirmed work would continue for the environmental observatory for the Bay of Sept-Îles thanks to a new financial partnership involving Société du Plan Nord, the Port of Sept-Îles, the City of Sept-Îles, and other Sept-Îles industry members to complete Phase III.

Another highlight of the year was the resumption of shipping from the Pointe-Noire dock in the fall with the loading of three iron ore vessels, two for SFPPN and one for Tata Steel Minerals Canada. These shipments marked the beginning of a new era for Pointe-Noire.

With the difficult conditions that arose in the iron market in 2016, the Port of Sept-Îles had to deal with lower revenue and take every step to limit its operating and investment costs, as well as its community assistance program.

“With the year ending with the signing of agreements with SFPPN and iron’s price recovery in the last weeks of 2016, we can view next year much more positively and with more excitement than the previous year,” said Port of Sept-Îles president and chief executive officer Pierre D. Gagnon. “With these new, more favorable conditions, the Port intends to work closely with its partners—Développement économique Sept-Îles, the Chamber of Commerce, and Société ferroviaire et portuaire de Pointe-Noire—to back all future economic diversification initiatives the region needs.”

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 annual volume of close to 25 million tonnes. 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
pkeays@portsi.com
418 961-1235

Sept-Îles, January 9, 2017 – The M/V AM Krakow, a Marshall Islands registered vessel, sailing from Ghent, Belgium, was the first ship to arrive in Sept-Îles this year, at 3:50 a.m. on January 1, 2017. The vessel arrived empty and docked on January 8 at IOC Rio Tinto dock Nº 2. It will set sail again today with 78,580 tons of iron ore destined for Ghent, Belgium.

During a short ceremony, Mr. Pierre D. Gagnon, President & CEO of the Port of Sept-Îles, as well as Mr. Thierry Martel, Chief Operations Officer of IOC Rio Tinto and Mr. Maurice McClure, Vice President, Finance and Strategy, presented Captain Maini Ashish with the prestigious cane bearing the Port of Sept-Îles insignia.

This tradition, now in its 30th year, marks the arrival of the first ship of the year to call the Port and highlights the importance of the maritime industry for our region’s economic activity. 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 annual volume of close to 25 million tons. 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
pkeays@portsi.com
Port of Sept-Îles
418 961-1235

 

• Pierre D. Gagnon, President & CEO, Port of Sept-Îles;
• Shardul Kumar, Chief Engineer, M/V AM Krakow;
• Maurice McClure, Vice President – Finance and Strategy, IOC Rio Tinto;
• Captain Maini Ashish, M/V AM Krakow;
• Thierry Martel, Chief Operations Officer, IOC Rio Tinto.

SEPT-ÎLES, December 7, 2016 – The Port of Sept-Îles (PSI) is pleased to announce the signing of long-term commercial agreements with its new partner and client, Société ferroviaire et portuaire de Pointe-Noire (SFPPN).

These agreements are important to both parties because their objective is to develop the full potential of Pointe-Noire, today and into the future.

As organizations committed to meeting market needs through a multiuser approach, PSI and SFPPN have incorporated the following key elements and principles into the agreements signed today:

• Use of SFPPN loading equipment on PSI’s Pointe-Noire wharf
• Considerations for the work required to link the ore storage areas with the facilities on the multi-user dock
• Use of the land containing the storage and handling facilities built in 2010 by Consolidated Thompson
• Considerations for meeting the future maritime shipping needs of various mining projects in the Sept-Îles region and the Labrador Trough

For PSI, the arrival of SFPPN as a new owner and client marks the beginning of a new chapter. This constructive new framework allowed the parties to hold discussions leading to innovative and beneficial agreements that will ensure Pointe-Noire infrastructure is accessible and available for every opportunity.

PSI also wishes to recognize the innovative approach taken by the government of Québec in establishing SFPPN as a limited partnership model, which will be joined by potential partners from the mining and other industries to share the use and operating costs of the facilities.

“With the iron market in recovery mode and our region in need of diversification projects, these agreements come at the perfect time to give our mining industry a shot in the arm,” said Pierre D. Gagnon, the Port’s CEO.

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 annual volume of close to 25 million tons. 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
pkeays@portsi.com
Port of Sept-Îles
418 961-1235

Sept-Îles – Monday, November 14, 2016 – Destination Sept-Îles Nakauinanu assesses once again a positive 2016 international cruise season.

This season’s highlight was the city’s first double-ship day – having received the Crystal Serenity and Silver Whisper simultaneously last September 26. This decisive day marks a major milestone in Destination Sept-Îles Nakauinanu’s history. For the first time, the port of call was tasked with the challenge of operating two sites at once and providing for some 2,500 passengers and crew members who were able to see all that Sept-Îles has to offer.

The logistical challenge proved to be a thorough success that drew positive feedback from both the tour operators and members of the industry. Greatly responsible for this overall achievement was the incredible synergy shown by all partners for this historical turning point which sends a strong message to the industry and paves the way for new business opportunities in the future.

In total, 4 cruise ships cumulating 4,319 passengers and crew members were welcomed throughout a season marked by an important increase in the disembarkation rate. First to moor at Sept-Îles’s Cruise Berth was the now-accustomed Marco Polo, whose 2015 festive overnight stay still fills the city’s residents’ imagination to this day. Last but not least, the Silver Whisper returned to Sept-Îles following a previous stop during September’s double-ship day and thereby rounded off the season.

2017 looks just as promising for Destination Sept-Îles Nakauinanu, which in addition to welcoming a steady number of passengers and crew members during the year, will also celebrate its 10th year of operation. Both the Oceania Insignia and Seven Seas Navigator will call Sept-Îles for the first time, whereas the Marco Polo and Saga Sapphire will renew their trust by returning to the port of call and completing the season. The 2017 season also represents a pivotal year for the organization as it is preparing itself to receive none other than the prestigious Queen Mary II the following year. By calling Sept-Îles during its 2018 itinerary on the St. Lawrence, Cunard pledges its trust in the destination and confirms the city’s place among the river’s top ports of call.

Source

Vincent Roy-Bérubé
Acting Executive Director
Destination Sept-Îles Nakauinanu
dsin@portsi.com
Tel : 418-968-1231 Ext : 234
www.destinationsept-iles.com

SEPT-ÎLES, June 22, 2016 – The Port of Sept-Îles served Champion Iron Mines Ltd. (Champion) with a notice of arbitration under the mechanism provided for in the Port’s multi-user dock contract (the Contract).

The purpose of the notice of arbitration is to compel Champion to fulfil its contractual obligations and to pay in full the buy-in payment of $19,581,000 plus interest agreed upon in the Contract.

The arbitration will take place in accordance with Quebec’s Code of Civil Procedure, which establishes the process for nominating the arbitrator and conducting the arbitration.

Five users signed the Contract in 2012 for the construction of the new dock. Champion’s refusal to pay in full the buy-in payment in 2013 unduly burdened the Port with significant and unexpected financial costs. In initiating these legal proceedings, the Port is seeking to protect its interests and those of the Contract’s other partners by reminding Champion of its responsibility to fulfil its contractual obligations.

Aside from its dispute with Champion, the Port intends to continue working closely with the Quebec government through its limited partnership with Société ferroviaire et portuaire de Pointe-Noire (SFPPN) to provide a quick stimulus to Pointe-Noire’s assets and make the multi-user dock operational.

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. 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

 

Sept-Îles, May 10, 2016 – Today the City of Sept-Îles and the Port of Sept-Îles submitted the Phase II report of the Environmental Observatory for the Bay of Sept-Îles.

The Phase II study, which included a sediment characterization of the bay, was conducted in 2014 and 2015 by INREST research institute for northern environment and occupational health, in collaboration with researchers from the St. Lawrence Global Observatory (SLGO), Institut des sciences de la mer (ISMER), and Université du Québec à Rimouski. The following parameters were studied in the second research phase: sediment quality (organic matter, particle size, physicochemical analyses), benthic community, water analysis, and the second phase of the study on brightness.

“At this stage, the data collected is not sufficient to conclude or rule on the state of the bay,” said INREST director and researcher Dr. Julie Carrière. “We need to complete the work to present a comprehensive overview of the Bay of Sept-Îles. The ideas and recommendations are intended to guide and target research in subsequent phases.”

Background of the study

The second phase of analysis is part of the larger Environmental Observatory for the Bay of Sept-Îles project, which sets out to:

• Understand the current state of the bay
• Measure and predict environmental impacts on the bay’s ecosystem
• Monitor the evolution of various components analyzed over the short, medium, and long term by setting up an environmental monitoring mechanism
• Provide stakeholders with the tools they need to make decisions and approach environmental management from a sustainable development perspective
• Respond to community expectations and concerns

Launched in 2013, this innovative method of characterizing the ecosystem of the Bay of Sept-Îles is a testament to the determination of the partners involved to work together on environmental and sustainable development issues. The initiative aims to provide an overall picture of the bay and develop a monitoring tool for the future.

“This integrated and ongoing scientific research method is a first on the St. Lawrence,” said Port of Sept-Îles president and CEO Pierre Gagnon. “It reflects the environmental leadership of the City and Port of Sept-Îles and will help protect our valuable marine ecosystems in the Bay of Sept-Îles, while ensuring responsible planning based on sustainable development values.”

“Phase II of the Environmental Observatory for the Bay of Sept-Îles will build on Phase I, which was completed in 2013,” said Sept-Îles mayor Réjean Porlier. “It will improve knowledge of the sector, so we’ll be able to determine what actions we need to take to maintain it over the long term.”

Phase III

Phase III of the study will begin in the spring of 2016 and will cost an estimated $650,000, to be funded jointly by the City and the Port of Sept-Îles, Société du Plan Nord, and private-sector company. An official announcement about when the work will start should be made in the coming weeks.

Phase I required an investment of $385,000, which was split among the Port of Sept-Îles, Corporation de protection de l’environnement, and Développement économique Sept-Îles. Phase II of the study cost $161,000, and was split equally between the Port and the City of Sept-Îles.

To consult the report

The full Phase II report and a summary presentation will be available online at www.baie.septiles.ca, and on the Port of Sept-Îles and City of Sept-Îles websites. As in Phase I, the public can submit questions by completing the questionnaire provided for this purpose by June 10, 2016. All questions received will be compiled and the answers published on this site. The response time will depend on the number and complexity of questions received.

Paper versions are available for on-site consultation at the Louis-Ange-Santerre Library, the Wilfrid-Gallienne Centre in Moisie, and the Marguerite Community Centre in Gallix.

About INREST

INREST is an organization affiliated with Cégep de Sept-Îles. Its mandate is to manage the Cégep’s occupational health and environment research unit. Its mission is to conduct research in environmental and occupational health sciences with regard to activities carried out in a northern environment. INREST’s objectives are to develop innovative applicable projects that take sustainable development concerns into account, to provide scientific data to aid decision-making, and to measure impacts on public health and the safety of workers. INREST encourages its partners to pool their resources to find solutions to the challenges posed by northern development.

Sources:

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

Amélie Robillard
Communications Advisor
City of Sept-Îles
Tél. : 418 964-3344

For interviews:

City of Sept-Îles
Réjean Porlier, Mayor
Tél. : 418 964-3211

Port of Sept-Îles
Pierre D. Gagnon, President and CEO
Tél. : 418 968-1231, poste 223

INREST
Dr. Julie Carrière, Director and Researcher
Tél. : 418 962-9848, poste 369

Sommaire du rapport de la phase II de l’Observatoire de veille environnementale de la baie de Sept-Îles

ACPA welcomes the recognition in the Federal Budget of the importance of infrastructure in creating good, well-paying jobs and delivering sustained economic growth, but notes that greater clarity is needed in defining the opportunities for ports within this funding envelope.

Ports can continue to be powerful trade enablers for Canada, but to do so we have to be flexible and able to adapt to changing market forces. Greater autonomy, enhanced commercialization and the removal of barriers to financial flexibility would give port authorities the power to pursue trade-related opportunities and reduce current restrictions that may serve as obstacles to growth.

An ACPA – Transport Canada¹ study of port infrastructure requirements found a capital investment requirement of $5.8 billion to meet growing demand. Of this, $1.9 billion (or 33%) is related to the rehabilitation of existing port assets. This public funding of strategic port infrastructure is needed to assist in maximizing Canada’s economic output.

We look forward to engaging with the Government of Canada to clarify phase 2 efforts to deliver fast, efficient trade corridors and enable ports to help Canada capitalize on the potential of global trade. ACPA will also seek to integrate immediate funding needs of $1.9 B for port rehabilitation within the New Building Canada Fund. Ultimately, an investment in port infrastructure will have a multiplier effect on the Canadian economy. The initial injection will go into supporting the local economy and labour force while the secondary bounce will come from the ability of the port to grow its cargo.

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 $162 billion worth of goods annually.

For more information, please call:
Wendy ZatylnyPresident,
Association of Canadian Port Authorities
Cell: (613)407-6022
Office: (613) 232-2036 x201
www.acpa-ports.net

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¹CPCS Transcom, Canada Port Authority Infrastructure Study: PortInfrastructure Investment Needsand Plans, Association of Canadian Port Authorities, Ottawa, 2011