Urgent investments needed for Eastern Quebec ports
[Press Review] Several port facilities in Eastern Quebec require major modernization investments, according to St. Lawrence Shipowners.
In some cases, reconstruction work would also be required “to avoid operational limitations or partial closures that would negatively affect the regional and national economy,” the association stated Thursday during the Shipowners Rendez-Vous in Rivière-du-Loup.
“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 the maritime sector,” said Saul Polo, President and CEO of St. Lawrence Shipowners, in a news release.
“Port infrastructure is at the heart of a competitive St. Lawrence–Great Lakes corridor capable of supporting Quebec’s economic ambitions.” — Mathieu St-Pierre, President and CEO of SODES
St. Lawrence Shipowners is calling on the Quebec government to relaunch a comprehensive maritime strategy. It should “promptly include multi-year funding dedicated to maintaining, modernizing and developing regional port infrastructure, along with clear timelines for projects that are ready to move forward.”
At the federal level, the association is calling for stable and accessible funding to be guaranteed for regional ports.
The ports of Matane, Baie-Comeau, Havre-Saint-Pierre, Sept-Îles and Port-Cartier, as well as ports on the Lower North Shore, have been identified as requiring modernization and improvements. The work ranges from wharf rehabilitation and terminal reconstruction to a project involving the construction of a rail ferry terminal.
Essential links for the regions
Shipowners serving the affected regions have also joined the association’s call.
“For an island community like ours in the Magdalen Islands, marine transportation is part of our daily lives. Reliable and suitable port infrastructure is essential, and it must evolve alongside the needs of carriers and the communities they serve,” said Emmanuel Aucoin, General Manager of CTMA, in the same news release.
André Mikhael, President and CEO of Relais Nordik (Desgagnés), also emphasized the importance of ports to the regions they serve. “[Our company] 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 being served,” he said.
Founded in 1936, St. Lawrence Shipowners brings together 28 shipowners and more than 170 businesses and organizations operating within the maritime ecosystem.
CAQ makes an election commitment
On Sunday, Christine Fréchette’s team, or the Coalition Avenir Québec (CAQ), made an election commitment.
The political party announced four measures, as outlined in a news release issued Sunday.
First, the CAQ is promising to develop new trade corridors, appoint a special envoy for the development of the St. Lawrence and maritime trade, and invest $300 million in port infrastructure and the St. Lawrence corridor. The latter measure would come with a goal of “leveraging nearly $2 billion in private and federal investment.”
These three measures are part of what the CAQ calls its strategy to diversify markets and strengthen ports. The second component focuses on developing a world-class shipbuilding industry.
The outgoing premier’s party is also promising to create a $90 million funding envelope to support the shipbuilding sector.
Article by Paul-Robert Raymond — Le Soleil
Unofficial translation by St. Lawrence Shipowners.
Read the original article here
