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A word from the chairs

2021 Annual report

A word from the chairs

We are an ally of the community

It was another pandemic year marked by challenging lows on many levels, but we weathered the storm thanks to invaluable support from local organizations and individuals who understand the vital role this strategic and logistics hub plays for the business community and especially for local families and the most vulnerable among us. We pay tribute to them.

It’s no secret that the Port’s operations have a huge impact on the region, not to mention the province. We are a major economic driver, making up more than 10% of Quebec’s total annual export trade.

Despite having our second-best year since the Port Authority was created in 2019, the 2021 volume of 32.1 million MT was 3% lower than the previous year’s 33.1 million MT—driven by five straight years of growth from the Multi-user Dock. Still a highly respectable level of activity that earned the Por t of Sept-Îles third place among all Canadian ports.

With the groundbreaking on Quebec Iron Ore’s 7 million MT expansion project to look forward to this spring, there is clearly light on the horizon for the coming year. The new boost in capacity at the Multi-user Dock is expected to push the Port past the 40 million MT mark in 2022 to become Canada’s second largest port by volume.

We are the Port of Sept-Îles—brave, tenacious, and determined. What better way to embody that spirit than by reopening the Hermel exhibition through a rewarding partnership with Tourisme Sept-Îles. The exhibition is a major draw for residents, students, visitors, tourists, and cruise ship passengers and a huge point of pride for us all.

We are WITH YOU! We have launched or shored up many partnerships and followed through on every commitment. One that stands out is our project with the City of Sept-Îles to give new life (and a maritime theme!) to Aylmer-Whittom Park, a popular gathering place for local and visiting families.

Other key partnerships we would like to highlight, specifically in the extraordinary context of COVID-19, include an agreement with the Arsenal Média radio network and Plaisir 94.1 Sept-Îles. CFER-TVA Est-du-Québec also worked with us on a series of TV spots to feature organizations that have benefited from our donations and sponsorships program.

Everyone knows how critical the last mile to port is. Which is why we’d like to highlight the intensity of the 2021 activities at SFP Pointe-Noire’s facilities, which orchestrated a major $130 million infrastructure improvement project while continuing to offer the same level of handling service users have come to expect from our Port. Kudos for your commitment to providing quality service and top-tier facilities to the iron industry at a one-of-a-kind complex that draws on the combined strengths of SFP Pointe-Noire and the Port, two strategic allies well aligned to develop Pointe-Noire’s full potential.

Pierre D. Gagnon

Port of Sept-Îles President and CEO

Carol Soucy

Chairman of the board