Shipowners call for accelerated investment in North Shore port infrastructure

[Press Review] Shipowners say urgent action is needed to modernize port infrastructure on Quebec’s North Shore, including the Multi-User Dock in Sept-Îles, to meet the current and future needs of businesses.

St. Lawrence Shipowners has identified five major projects on the North Shore as priorities. The association, which brings together 170 maritime businesses, is emphasizing the importance of accelerating investment in port infrastructure.

Gathered in Rivière-du-Loup for the Shipowners Rendez-Vous, St. Lawrence stakeholders called for funding to modernize the Pointe-Noire Multi-User Dock in Sept-Îles, a project valued at $60 million. The association is also seeking major upgrades to the municipal wharf in Port-Cartier, investments in Baie-Comeau and Havre-Saint-Pierre, and improvements to several federal wharves on the Lower North Shore.

Urgent action needed

Shipowners believe urgent action is required on the North Shore and in Eastern Quebec to meet the current and future needs of businesses and supply chains. According to St. Lawrence Shipowners, port capacity along the St. Lawrence is a strategic asset for supporting regional economic development and Quebec’s competitiveness.

“There is an urgent need to act. Behind every deteriorating wharf, every terminal with insufficient capacity and every delayed project are jobs, businesses and communities that depend on marine transportation. Canada is expanding its trade partnerships and mobilizing historic levels of capital to support its growth. Eastern Quebec cannot be left behind,” said Saul Polo, President and CEO of St. Lawrence Shipowners.

The message comes as Canada steps up efforts to mobilize major investments and stimulate economic growth through large-scale projects. Quebec is also seeking to diversify its markets.

Protecting the regional economy

A significant proportion of Eastern Quebec’s port infrastructure requires major modernization investments and, in some cases, reconstruction to prevent operational limitations or partial closures that could negatively affect regional and national economies.

This is the case in Baie-Comeau, where the reconstruction and redevelopment of Terminal No. 5 are essential to improving port operations and supporting the growth of industrial and commercial activities. A significant portion of government funding is still pending.

In Sept-Îles, upgrading the Petroleum Dock, a project valued at $15 million, is also necessary to secure the region’s supply of petroleum products. In Port-Cartier, a proposed rail landing facility would allow railcars to be transferred between the land-based rail network and a barge or rail ferry.

On the Lower North Shore, repairs to the wharves in Harrington Harbour and La Romaine can no longer wait. These facilities are essential for resupply services, passenger transportation and the delivery of goods to local communities.

St. Lawrence Shipowners is urging the governments of Quebec and Canada to accelerate investment in regional port infrastructure and establish predictable funding mechanisms to support priority projects.

“Relais Nordik plays an essential role in supplying communities and supporting the vitality of the North Shore. To ensure the continuity and reliability of this service, it is essential to have modern, safe port infrastructure adapted to the needs of vessels, businesses and the communities they serve,” said André Mikhael, President and CEO of Relais Nordik (Groupe Desgagnés).

Article by Jean St-Pierre — Ma Côte Nord

Unofficial translation by St. Lawrence Shipowners.

Read the original article here