From Rotterdam, The Netherlands, the M/V Cape Alexandros became the first vessel of the year, arriving at 1100 on 04 January 2023, but remaining anchored in the bay awaiting its loading. It was finally on Thursday morning, January 12, that the prestigious cane with its stylized pommel containing aluminum and iron ore, was handed over to Captain Antonios Chatzigeorgiou as tradition dictates.

The captain said he was very honoured by this recognition when, 29 years later, he confided to be on his second visit to the Port of Sept-Îles. He also shared his great admiration for the marine corridors of the St. Lawrence/Great Lakes and Saguenay systems, as he said he had travelled to more than 80 countries during his career by travelling on the world’s main shipping routes.

The brief ceremony at the Rio Tinto IOC Mining Company’s port facilities was attended by Marie-Josée Carrier, Senior Advisor, Communications and External Relations, Marie-Noëlle Péloquin, Operations Coordinator, Terminal and Marco Blanchette, Superintendent Terminal Maintenance representatives of Rio Tinto IOC, as well as Pierre Gagnon, President and CEO of the Port of Sept-Îles. Mrs Josée Carrier also took the opportunity to present the captain and his crew with a present made of a basket full of local products.

Flying the flag of Liberia, the 292-metre-long oceanic vessel built in 2010 in South Korea and owned by the Greek shipowner, Golden Union Shipping Co SA, will redirect with its crew of 25 sailors to Rotterdam with a cargo of 170 700 tons of concentrate and iron pellets. This tradition, which is now in its 36th edition, aims to highlight the arrival of the first ship of the year to anchor in the Port’s waters, and thus to spread the impact of port activities in the community. To be eligible, the vessel must come from abroad and leave for a destination outside the country.