Saguenay, June 4, 2024 – With planned investments of $250 million over the next three years, the Saguenay Port Authority (SPA) is ushering in an era of unprecedented construction and infrastructure work at the Port of Saguenay and its industrial port zone.
These investments are aimed at positioning the Port of Saguenay and its industrial port zone as a world-class intermodal hub capable of rapidly accommodating large-scale industrial development projects in emerging sectors in North America.
The Port of Saguenay site is being transformed
Begun last fall, construction of the $111.2 million electric multi-user conveyor, supported by the governments of Quebec and Canada, will optimize the Port’s handling efficiency and capacity, while reducing trucking-related GHG emissions.
The first phase of work to deploy municipal-type service infrastructures and build the access road to the industrial lands of the industrial port zone will begin in the coming months. This phase will greatly enhance the attractiveness of the site. In addition to the $105 million envelope confirmed in the latest Quebec government budget, the City of Saguenay and the Saguenay Port Authority are each injecting $5 million into the project. The Port intends to begin preparing certain industrial sites for major projects in the near future.
To support the commissioning of the conveyor and optimize handling and storage capacities for general cargo and commodities, the Port of Saguenay will build a new paved outdoor storage area to the southwest of its terminal. Scheduled for completion in autumn 2024, this project, with financial support from the governments of Quebec and Canada, will strengthen the Port’s role in the Saguenay-Saint-Laurent-Grands-Lacs trade corridor.
Finally, in November 2023, the Quebec government also confirmed a $20 million commitment to support the project to improve the Marcel-Dionne dock by adding a berth and building loading facilities for oversized cargo. Finalizing the financial package for this major optimization of the marine terminal’s capacity, valued at $100 million, is one of APS’s top priorities for the coming years.
2023, an excellent year
Today’s Annual General Meeting of the Saguenay Port Authority also provided an opportunity to look back on an excellent year in 2023 for the Port of Saguenay. In terms of operations, the Port received 80 ships at its marine terminal, representing some 718,600 tonnes of transshipped goods. Wood pellets destined for Europe, de-icing salt and inputs for the regional metallurgy, aluminum and pulp & paper industries accounted for a significant proportion of volumes recorded. Last year was also an exceptional one for international cruises, with 78 calls and 120,000 cruise passengers and crew members welcomed at Bagotville’s international cruise dock.
Quotes
“2023 was an exceptional year in terms of the recognition of the unique potential of the Port of Saguenay and its industrial port zone. I’m proud of the major shift our organization has undertaken to establish a solid foundation for the responsible growth of our activities, and to create transparent and respectful channels of exchange with the community and First Nations.”
-Arthur Gobeil Chairman of the Board
“2024 will be a year of unprecedented action for our organization. It marks the start of a period of unprecedented large-scale projects that will enable us to leverage exceptional infrastructures to support the development and economic diversification of the region, Quebec and Canada.”
-Carl Laberge President and CEO, Port of Saguenay
For your information
Saguenay Port Authority
François St-Gelais
Senior Consultant
Communications and Community Relations
Cell: 418-815-0803
fstgelais@portsaguenay.ca
