Sept-Îles, January 8, 2025 — Sailing from Rotterdam in the Netherlands, M/V Frontier Jasmine was the first ship to enter the Port of Sept-Îles (PSI) in 2025. Her arrival was recorded at 7:06 a.m. on January 1. The vessel was moored at the Multiuser Dock on the night of January 6 to be loaded with high-purity iron ore from the Quebec Iron Ore (QIO).
In keeping with tradition, it was on Wednesday, January 8 at about 10 a.m. that the prestigious cane with its characteristic head made of aluminum and iron ore was passed to the Korean captain, Lim Chungsu. The brief ceremony was held for the first time at the Multiuser Dock at the Port of Sept-Îles in the presence of Pierre Gagnon, PSI President and CEO; Bernard Lynch, Chairman of the PSI Board of Directors; Louis Thériault, Director of Logistics, Integrated Planning and Transportation at QIO; and Denis Miousse, Mayor of the City of Sept-Îles. The dignitaries took advantage of the occasion to present gifts to Captain Chungsu and his crew.
The captain expressed his thanks and said he was impressed by the warm welcome and generosity of the region. He said he hopes to return soon to the Port of Sept-Îles.
The 292-metre ocean-going vessel, which flies the flag of the Marshall Islands and was built in 2022, will be moving on along with its crew for a 60-day trip to the Japanese port of Oita, carrying 173,000 metric tons of high-purity iron concentrate.
The tradition of the cane, now in its 38th year, celebrates the first ship to drop anchor in PSI waters each year and highlights the impact of port activities in the community. To be eligible, ships must arrive directly from abroad and leave for a foreign port.
About the Port of Sept-Îles unique cane
In 2012, on the 25th anniversary of the cane ceremony, the traditional gold-headed cane got a makeover, with an exclusive new design showcasing the region’s resources. Inspired by a 3D version of the Port of Sept-Îles logo, the polished anodized aluminum cane is reminiscent of the blue highway. The redesigned pommel contains a fragment of iron ore whose luster is reflected in a hemisphere of acrylic. It also features a distinctive gold element: the seven-star Port of Sept-Îles logo representing the seven islands in Sept-Îles Bay has been painstakingly reproduced in 10-karat gold.
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 a projected volume for 2025 of more than 40 million metric tons. It is also recognized as the largest primary aluminum port terminal in the Americas in terms of operational volume. The facilities at the Port of Sept-Îles play a vital and strategic role in the economy of Eastern Canada. The Port is also deeply committed to sustainable development and has pioneered the first environmental observatory on the St. Lawrence to monitor the marine ecosystem as well as a research chair with Université Laval to study coastal ecosystems and port operations.
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Source:
Frédérick Tétreault
Director of Communications and Public Relations, Port of Sept-Îles
Phone: 418-965-3764
ftetreault@portsi.com