First ship of 2023 arrives at Port of Sept-Îles
(Posted on 27/01/23)
The first ship of the year, M/V Cape Alexandros, arrived at 11:00 a.m. on January 4, 2023, from Rotterdam in the Netherlands and remained anchored in the bay awaiting loading. On Thursday morning, 12 January, a ceremony was finally held to present Captain Antonios Chatzigeorgiou with the commemorative cane traditionally awarded to mark the first ship’s arrival.
The Port of Sept-Îles is one of North America’s largest ore-handling ports, with a projected volume for 2023 of nearly 40 million metric tons.
The captain said he was deeply honoured by the gift, adding that it was his second visit to the Port of Sept-Îles in 29 years. He also expressed admiration for the St. Lawrence–Great Lakes and Saguenay maritime corridors, worthy praise from someone who has visited more than 80 countries and spent his career sailing the world’s major shipping routes.
The brief ceremony at IOC Rio Tinto’s port facilities was attended by Marie-Josée Carrier, Senior Advisor, Communications and External Relations; Marie-Noëlle Péloquin, Operations Coordinator, Terminal; Marco Blanchette, Terminal Maintenance Superintendent representing IOC Rio Tinto; and Pierre Gagnon, President and CEO of the Port of Sept-Îles. Josée Carrier also presented the captain and his crew of 25 with a well-stocked basket of local products.
The 292-metre-long Liberian-registered M/V Cape Alexandros was built in South Korea in 2010 and belongs to the Greek shipowner Golden Union Shipping Co SA. It will sail back to Rotterdam with 170,700 tonnes of concentrate and iron pellets.
The tradition of the cane, now in its 36th year, celebrates the first ship to drop anchor in Port waters each year and highlights the impact of port activities in the community. To be eligible, ships must arrive directly from abroad and be bound for a foreign port.
In 2012, on the 25th anniversary of the cane ceremony, the traditional gold-headed cane got a makeover, with an exclusive new design showcasing the region’s resources. Inspired by a 3D version of the Port of Sept-Îles logo, the polished anodized aluminum cane is reminiscent of the blue highway. The redesigned pommel contains a fragment of iron ore whose lustre is reflected in a hemisphere of acrylic. It also features a distinctive gold element: the seven-star Port of Sept-Îles logo representing the seven islands in the Bay of Sept-Îles has been painstakingly reproduced in 10-karat gold.
The Port of Sept-Îles is also recognized as the largest primary aluminium port terminal in the Americas in terms of operational volume. Sept-Îles port facilities play a vital and strategic role in the economy of Eastern Canada. The Port is also deeply committed to sustainable development and has pioneered the first environmental observatory on the St. Lawrence to monitor the marine ecosystem.
Latest News
Métivier appointed President and CEO of Trois-Rivières Port Authority
(Posted on 11/11/25)The Trois-Rivières Port Authority (TRPA) in Canada has announced the appointment of Mr. Anick... Read more
Automated pulp handling boosts efficiency and safety at Rauma terminal
(Posted on 10/11/25)Euroports commitment to continuously improving operational efficiency, enhancing workplace safety, and... Read more
Bilbao forges closer ties with the COSCO Group
(Posted on 10/11/25)Under the slogan ‘Your Intermodal Link Between China, Iberia and the Atlantic Markets,’... Read more
Hamburg promotes international exchange in China
(Posted on 10/11/25)Port of Hamburg Marketing (HHM) continues to strengthen its successful cooperation with Chinese port... Read more
Rotterdam throughput falls in first nine months of 2025
(Posted on 04/11/25)Total throughput in the port of Rotterdam fell slightly by 2.6% in the third quarter of 2025 compared... Read more
Bayan, Indonesia, reaches 100,000 operating hours
(Posted on 04/11/25)E-Crane Asia has announced a major milestone achieved by Bayan in Indonesia: the company’s three... Read more
Teesport automated weighbridges boost bulk cargo efficiency
(Posted on 27/10/25)PD Ports has successfully introduced fully automated weighbridge systems at Teesport and Hartlepool,... Read more
Mixed picture for Antwerp-Bruges in volatile trade climate
(Posted on 24/10/25)In the first nine months of 2025, Port of Antwerp-Bruges handled 202.6 million tonnes of maritime goods... Read more
NPRC presents strategic course at 90th anniversary assembly
(Posted on 20/10/25)The 90th General Assembly of the inland shipping cooperative NPRC has highlighted the importance of... Read more
Bilbao leads in transparency among Spanish ports
(Posted on 17/10/25)The Bilbao Port Authority has obtained the highest score in the second evaluation of the Mandatory Information... Read more
