M/V Cape Nelson, a Chinese registered vessel, sailing from Imbutiba, Brazil, was the first ship to arrive in Sept-Îles this year, at 9:25 a.m. on January 4. The vessel arrived laden with 14 328 tonnes of petroleum coke for Aluminerie Alouette, and set sail again on January 7, destined for a foreign port.
During a short ceremony, Shawn Grant, Harbour Master of Port of Sept-Îles, presented Captain Jin Qiu Ze with the prestigious cane bearing the Port of Sept-Îles insignia. Gifts were presented to the Captain by Aluminerie Alouette and Lower St-Lawrence Ocean Agencies.
The tradition, now in its 28th year, marks the arrival of the first ship of the year to call the Port. To be eligible, the vessel must come directly from a foreign port and be bound for a destination outside the country without making any other calls at a Canadian port.