Pierre D. Gagnon, President and CEO of the Port of Sept-Îles (PSI), and Michael Labrie, CEO of ArcelorMittal Infrastructure Canada, ratified a mutual cooperation agreement on January 23 at the traditional New Year’s reception for stakeholders from both organizations.
Organised jointly for the first time, this New Year’s Eve event was the ideal moment for the two leaders to announce the agreement. The evening also provided an opportunity to mark the ceremonies at which the stylized knobbed rods were handed over to the first ships to sail the waters of the ports of Sept-Îles and Port-Cartier.
According to the two representatives, their respective operations bring with them a number of similar realities and issues on a day-to-day basis, which represent opportunities for their resources to be exchanged and shared in order to enhance best practice, particularly in operational and environmental terms. The agreement will also aim to develop communication and information-sharing channels to support various research and development initiatives.
“We are proud to be able to count on a trusted partner like the Port of Sept-Îles. By combining our expertise, we will be able to make even more rapid technological advances that will position the Port-Cartier/Sept-Îles area as a true centre of excellence,” said Mapi Mobwano, Chairman of the Management Committee of ArcelorMittal Infrastructure Canada.
“More than ever, the industrial sectors of Sept-Îles and Port-Cartier are looking to work closely together to maximise the region’s economic development. This collaboration agreement is a logical extension of the efforts already made within the Port-Cartier/Sept-Îles industrial port zone. Today, we are formalising the start of a closer and mutually beneficial relationship, not only for our organisations, but also for our communities,” commented Pierre D. Gagnon, President and CEO of the Port of Sept-Îles.
The combined activity of Eastern Canada’s two main bulk ports, PSI and ArcelorMittal, accounts for almost half of the volume of the St. Lawrence maritime corridor and around 15% of the value of Quebec’s annual exports.
(Photos of Port of Sept-Îles and Port Cartier)