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.