Chamber of Marine Commerce Welcomes the Port of Baie-Comeau

The Chamber of Marine Commerce (CMC) is proud to formally welcome the Port of Baie-Comeau as a new member organization.

Located just before the St. Lawrence River meets the Gulf of St. Lawrence, this North Shore port plays a vital role in serving communities across northeastern Québec and beyond. Taking pride in its safe, efficient, and innovative marine trade services, the Port of Baie-Comeau is a valuable addition to the Chamber’s growing network of members in the marine sector.

In addition to its commercial importance, the Port is also a prominent port of call in the cruising industry, helping to support travel and tourism in the region.

“As a key player in Canada’s Great Lakes-St. Lawrence marine supply chain and a strong contributor to regional economic development, the Port brings valuable perspective and strength to the CMC’s collective voice,” said Jason Card, Director of Communications for the CMC. “We look forward to having input from the Port of Baie-Comeau shape our industry advocacy, and to supporting their priorities and ambitions.”

As the sixth-largest port on the St. Lawrence River, the Port of Baie-Comeau handles over 4 million tons of goods and materials annually, valued at more than $1 billion, and supports over 5,000 direct and indirect jobs in the region.

The Port has several exciting projects underway, most notably the “T-5 project,” a terminal redevelopment initiative supported by a contribution of $17.5 million from the Government of Québec, announced earlier this year. The T-5 project aims to strengthen port infrastructure by increasing depth to accommodate larger vessels, expanding capacity for critical minerals and other dry bulk commodities, and enhancing the Port’s competitiveness. These improvements will ultimately support regional economic growth and benefit the local community.

“Integrated into the Canadian port network and closely connected to our local economy, the Port serves a diverse clientele and fulfills multiple roles. It is essential to both national and international trade corridors, while also serving as a cornerstone of our community,” stated Karine Otis, President and CEO of the Port of Baie-Comeau. “We look forward to collaborating with the Chamber of Marine Commerce in fostering the efficient, reliable, sustainable and vital marine supply chain that keeps our economy moving and fuels our coastal community.”

Key Facts

The Port of Baie-Comeau operates year-round, expertly navigating the challenges of seasonal ice to maintain continuous trade along the St. Lawrence River.

The Port of Baie-Comeau is the 6th largest port and 4th largest port of call for international cruises on the St. Lawrence River.

Baie-Comeau Port Management Corporation is an independent non-profit organization, whose mission is to manage and develop the full potential of Baie-Comeau multiuser port facilities to ensure a sustainable, safe and efficient development within the Québec and Canadian port network.

In July of 2023, an independent study by Martin Associates was released, confirming the tremendous importance of marine shipping on the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence Seaway and coastal and arctic regions to the North American economy. The study revealed that the in-land and coastal marine industry:

• made a total annual contribution of at least $66.1 Billion CAD in economic activity across North America,
• supported approximately 360,000 jobs across the continent, and
• moved more than 252 million tonnes of vital cargoes.

The study was released with the endorsement of the U.S. Secretary of Transportation and the Minister of Transport Canada and was developed at the mutual request of The Chamber of Marine Commerce, The Lake Carriers’ Association, The American Great Lakes Ports Association, The Shipping Federation of Canada, and the U.S. and Canadian management organizations that oversee Seaway operations.