The shipping platform

Location: Sept-Iles is a large natural harbour situated on the N shore of the St Lawrence River, 287nm downstream from Quebec. General overview: Water depth at the entrance to Sept-Iles Bay is more than 80m, open for navigation all year round with direct access to the Atlantic Ocean through the Gulf of St Lawrence, enables the port to handle large ocean going bulk carriers. The port installations are situated at Sept-Iles, on the NE side of the bay and at Pointe Noire and Anse a Brochu on the SW side. Iron ore is the primary cargo, mining companies such as the Iron Ore Company of Canada, (IOC) and Wabush Mines operate major berths. There are 12 wharves under the jurisdiction of Sept-Iles Port Authority. Aluminerie Alouette operates an aluminium plant that produces up to 210,000t. The alumina and petroleum coke imports for the plant totalling over 500,000t. Other bulk loaded or unloaded at this terminal for various companies, totals 2,300,000t. The Esso Imperial Oil Company operates the Petroleum Wharf, which is also owned by Port of Sept-Iles. Esso imports over 300,000t of petroleum products annually for its use and that of other companies. Coal transhipment forms a major activity of the port with ship-to-ship transfers of coal from lakers to ocean going carriers, with approx 80% of the cargoes destined for the international market. Traffic figures: Approx 580 vessels and 22,600,000t of cargo handled annually. Load line zone: North Atlantic Winter Seasonal Zone II, Winter Nov 1 to Mar 31, Summer Apr 1 to Oct 31.